A SPLASH OF LUCK

COVID-19 has proved an unexpected blessing for a Geraldton artist who is leaving his mark across the State.

Phil Doncon faced sudden cancellation of all his Paint Storm school visits when the pandemic shutdown started last year.

His live performances involved painting on 11m x 2.5m boards, breakdancing, and talking to students about resilience, health and wellbeing.

“I had 10-15 schools lined up for the first two terms of last year,” he said.

“Then COVID came along and suddenly I lost all of that work.”

While that door closed, Doncon said it meant he could lodge an expression of interest to paint murals in Geraldton instead, which has led to more projects in recent months.

This summer he spent two weeks painting scenes of native fauna and flora on the back of a $5 million commercial development off Pinjar Road in Banksia Grove in Perth’s northern suburbs.

Doncon said his designs were inspired by the natural environment.

“I’ve been driving up and down through those woodlands from Perth to Geraldton all the time,” he said.

One mural features a kangaroo and emu among banksia and balga trees.

Doncon based the other mural on Lake Joondalup and its birdlife.

Doncon said he had more mural projects lined up.