About

These days, I regard myself as something of a ‘Self-Expressionist’ rather than a Photographer.
 
This has come about because of my changing interests. I still love Photography, though it does have a different meaning for me these days.
 
I started photographing in 1982 and very quickly, it became a major part of my life. I joined Campbelltown Camera Club in 1986 and remained a member till 2014. I was also a founding member of Southern Highlands Photographic Society and was a member there from 2004 to 2016. I still photograph, though not as much as I used to and my gear selection will change shortly, too as I look to smaller, lighter gear that suits my current purposes.
 
Whilst I did draw and paint as a child, I didn’t consider myself very good and just played around. Occasionally, throughout Life I would do it in spurts. I never really considered myself any good at it. One of those times was in the early 1990s and I still have the sketches. Just always wished I could do it better.
 
It wasn’t until 2010 that I took a basic Drawing course and also started to dabble in Watercolour, though that didn’t last very long and I soon started venturing into Acrylic and sometime later, Oils.
 
In 2008 I joined Toastmasters International which has really boosted my general confidence through participation at meetings, writing speeches, speech practice and competing in Club, Area and Division speech contests. 
 
In 2013, I wrote my first Poem, ‘And I Know That I Will’ on a whim basically. I had been interested in Poetry ever since school and can only remember attempting to write some on a holiday once (still have them) though when I look back at them… I must have been a dreamy state that day!
 
I have been writing poems (which for some time I have been doing via a Fountain Pen) and then upload to this Blog. 
 
Over the past few years, Photography seemed to be taking up less and less of my time and Oil painting was taking over. 
 
In late 2018, I started getting interested in Watercolour again and on Australia Day, 26 January 2019 I decided to set myself a goal of doing a ‘Watercolour Sketch A Day’ and as of today, I’ve managed to day that every day for 5 years straight. Along the way, I have taken up an interest in, ‘Line and Wash’ as well.
 
There is no specific number as a goal, it is just to do a ‘Watercolour Sketch A Day’ so that I can obtain consistent practice as I really want to improve at sketching, drawing and painting.
 
I have been enjoying this ‘creative journey’ immensely. If I had to sum it all up, I guess I love to ‘express my personal interpretations of the world via a brush, pigment, words or a camera.’
 
I wonder where this creative journey will take me next?
 
 
David Johnson
26 January 2024
 
Achievements:
 
Toastmasters International: 
  • Distinguished Toastmaster
  • 3 x 1st in Toastmasters Club &  2 x Area International Speech Contests
  • Twice President of Toastmasters Clubs 
  • Triple Crown Educational Award
  • Club Coach Leadership Award
  • Leadership Excellence Award
  • Served at District level
  • Served as a Club Coach
Photography:
  • 1st S.I.E.P. (Sydney International Exhibition of Photography)
  • 3rd Sutherland National Exhibition of Photography
  • Multiple Acceptances at National Photographic Exhibitions
  • 30+ 1st’s at Camera Clubs/Photographic Societies
  • Photographic Judge (to National level) since 1995
Painting:
  • Sold 3 Watercolour paintings
  • Had a Oil painting on display at the Dragonfly Community Gallery
  • A selection of my Oil paintings and Watercolour paintings were displayed at the ‘Back To Business’ networking event in Macarthur in late 2020
Poetry
  • Have written over 700 Poems to date
Blogging:
  • Blogging every month since 2013
Committees:
  • Served on Committees of various organisations since 1986 
Member of:

Facebook Groups

Websites that relate to me:

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7 thoughts on “About”

  2. Very nice! Is that your beautiful painting behind the title above? Painting is a wonderful expression as is poetry. Have you ever checked out the German artist Carsten Wylen, who has the Brush Park Water Colors blog on WP, He is amazing!!
    Dwight

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    Reply

      1. Yes, this is one I painted a few years ago. I like trying a variety of different things when I paint. Some of them work and some don’t. Glad you enjoyed it.
        Yes Carsten is a WoW painter!!

        Liked by 1 person

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