Bill Horton

When did you first begin appreciating art?

Certainly at secondary school, possibly even at primary school. I remember at boarding school on ‘film nights’they’d screen unbelievably boring 1940’s vintage films — I would nick off back to the classroom and paint.

When did you discover you had a knack for it?

Probably about the same time also wasn’t in the least interested in subjects such as maths, english, geographry etc, so my parents said we’ll send him to art school, he can have a bit of a good time there then he can come home and work on the place.

What medium/s do you use?

My main medium is watercolour, because it is a natural extension of the rather unique pen/ink technique I have pioneered My other mediums are oil painting (the “prince” of all mediums), and of course, pencil/graphite for drawing

What are your favourite subjects? Do you return to a common theme?

At present all aspects of building and construction. Otherwise, no favourite.

Why is your art important (to you and others)? Why is ANY art important?

Because of the way art is a ‘mirror to society’. Artists have a unique way of looking at the world and this ‘different sensibility’ is invaluable because of the way it allows us, as Python would say, to interrogate ‘the meaning of everything’! Art uplifts, entertains, enriches, informs, gives hugely of pleasure and satisfaction. What other endeavours of the human condition can make those claims?

You’ve recently held an exhibition at the Toowoomba Art Society – when did it run? What was it about?

It was called “Toowoomba – today, tomorrow - a Time of Transition” and it ran May 1 to 29. It features the construction of the Grand Central Shopping Centre and the Second Range Crossing.