Love of painting gives man purpose

PHILLIP Lawton's passion for art started when he received a small amount of community funding to take painting classes a year ago, and his love for it has grown every since.

The 49-year-old proud Indigenous man challenged himself by incorporating water colour and acrylic to complete his latest piece, The Flaming Didgeridoo's.

"I share my art with my family and friends. The Flaming Didgeridoo's is for my father, who has passed. It will be kept in my mother's room, on dad's port,” Phillip said.

Contracting meningitis when he was only two-years-old meant Phillip wasn't able to walk until much later in life.

He relies heavily on his family and support worker to attend community activities as he is unable to walk distances unaided.

Being blind in one eye hasn't hindered Phillip from achieving wonderful works of art, many of which are displayed in his home.

"Painting gives me real purpose,” he said.

Currently, Phillip is working on his next painting The Bull Ride which it will be displayed at next year's Charleville Show for all to enjoy.