For their 2024 Insiders Event, The Property Collective wanted something bold, engaging, and uniquely Canberra. They approached me to create a large-scale live painting during the event—something abstract, bright, and instantly recognisable. After collaborating on concepts, we landed on Telstra Tower, an iconic part of the city’s skyline, as the subject. The brief was clear: the piece needed to capture attention, be completed within the 1.5-hour painting window, and be ready for auction by the end of the night.

To ensure the final piece had depth and detail despite the limited live painting time, I prepared base layers beforehand, painting the background and the tower’s silhouette in advance. This allowed me to focus on refining the details, highlights, and energy of the piece in real time as guests arrived. With a crowd of brokers, agents, lawyers, builders, developers, and key industry figures watching, the painting evolved dynamically, drawing plenty of engagement and conversation.

By the time the auction rolled around, the painting had become a focal point of the evening. The bidding was lively, with the final bid reaching $1,700—an incredible result for a piece created in just 1.5 hours. The intention was for the winning bid to be donated to the Butterfly Foundation, reinforcing the event’s celebration of business, community, and impact. For now, the painting remains in The Property Collective’s office, continuing to be a conversation starter long after the event.

The live painting was not only a creative highlight of the night but also a powerful reminder of how art can bring people together. It added a dynamic, immersive element to the event while celebrating Canberra in a way that was both captivating and memorable.