Darrell White

I was born in New Zealand, and moved to Perth in the mid-1980s with my family. Although I had a passion for drawing and painting from an early age, I followed in my parents' footsteps and pursued a career in the Navy. During that time, in between watches, I continued with my passion for drawing, producing artworks that were frequently mistaken for photographs. After seven years of service I made a career change to Experience Designer, but I have continued to produce artworks throughout the years.

My subject matter is as varied as my influences — shaped by my past, triggered by an experience or event, or simply floating into imagination. This has led me to produce work spanning maritime history, landscapes, fantasy and portraiture, always striving for realism in balance with what paint can convey with the flick of a brush. Over the years I moved from pencil to oils and acrylics, though my commitment to that photo-realistic quality has remained constant.

My work has earned significant recognition. The National Maritime Museum of Australia purchased two of my pencil drawings for their permanent collection. The West Australian Cricket Association commissioned an oil painting of HMAS Sydney II for their 'Lest We Forget' display, a work that has since appeared in several publications on the Sydney. I have also exhibited widely, including the 1st International Online Marine Art Exhibition, and created an extensive range of illustrations for the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation — work that appears on promotional material, activity books for children, signage and playground equipment.

While life means art must often be pursued around other commitments, I bring the same dedication to every piece I take on. I now reside in Melbourne, Australia with my wife and children, and continue to produce works for clients around the world.