MOTORCYCLE mechanic and artist Anders Mykkeltvedt has been busy tinkering in his Uriarra Road workshop for years, switching from the grubby work of fixing up mean machines to the colour and beauty of his acyclic artworks.
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This weekend the 61-year-old along with his wife, Helen will open the doors to their dual-use workshop for the very first time. They will be one of the nine galleries and studios taking part in the Queanbeyan Arts Trail.
Mr Mykkeltvedt is excited to show off his hybrid workshop and studio.
"I don't think there's anywhere else in Queanbeyan or Canberra where you've got a big, massive, coloured sign proclaiming art and then you've got the motorcycle thing hooked in together," he said.
"When I bought the building I thought, 'It's got great light, that'd make a great studio space'.
"When I was 20, I would've killed to be in the position of having a shed full of motorbikes and somewhere to paint pictures and then to top it off, I've got the space where I can actually have my own studio."
The annual Art Trail is a Queanbeyan City Council initiative which allows visitors a rare glimpse into galleries and the workspaces of local artists.
Behind the doors of Queanbeyan's Eurotune Motorcycles is a show room for the shiny automobiles and Mr Mykkeltvedt's artworks lining the walls. Out the back there's a desk cluttered with art equipment as well as various tools for the bikes.
Mr Mykkeltvedt said being part of the Art Trail signals a new direction for the business where there will be a greater emphasis on art.
"The art side of what I've been doing has been on the backburner a little bit and I'm bringing it forward," he said.
"It's the old story, the more time you can spend doing something, the better you get at it. If I leave it too long, I won't have any time left."
Mr Mykkeltvedt said he is mostly self-taught although he has studied painting and photography at the ANU's School of Art.
He uses mostly pen and paper as well as acrylic paint on canvas. And although, his tools might be conventional, his technique is certainly isn't.
The artist enjoys sketching bands and musicians but he does in the midst of their performances - the singer belting out a tune, guitarist strumming along and drummer hitting the high-hat.
"The drawings are basically all done in my lap, some of them were done on the dance floor having beer spilt over me at the pub," he said.
"It's a lot of fun and that should come through - they were fun to do and they should be fun to look at.
"I hope when someone is looking, particularly if they are looking at a drawing I've done of a musician, I hope they can almost hear the music as it's played.
"I hope there's enough vibrancy in the picture that they can a sense of the atmosphere when the drawing is done."
Mr Mykkeltvedt said it's a method which he has honed and it works, so he'll be sticking with it.
"It's a great way to meet people, I've been working like this for a long time," he said.
"The first time I pulled out the pens and started to draw in a really public environment, obviously it was nerve-wracking.
"Over the years, I've become oblivious. I've can be on the dance floor and have five people looking over my shoulder and I'm in my own zone."
The Queanbeyan City Council's Queanbeyan Art Trail is on Sunday, October 26 from 10am to 4pm.
Participants in the 2014 Queanbeyan Art Trail - Sunday, October 26
All studios and galleries open 10am - 4pm, except studio No. 8
1. Benedict House, Artists Shed Inc, Lost & Found Office - Gallery, artist's studios, funky furniture restorations, the 'Shed Sessions' and much, much more - 39 Isabella Street ,Queanbeyan, ph: 6284 2868, www.benedicthouse.com.au, www.lostandfoundoffice.wordpress.com
2. Form Studio and Gallery, Claire Primrose's studio - Passionate advocates for Australian contemporary art practice, supporting both emerging and established visual artists. 1/30 Aurora Avenue, Queanbeyan, Ph 0430 359 776, www.formstudioandgallery.com.au
3. Curtis Glass Studio Glass artists Matthew Curtis and Harriet Schwarzrock - husband and wife glass artists, Harriet was recently named winner of the Waterhouse Science Art Prize. 114 Uriarra Road, Queanbeyan, ph: 0404 107 000, www.curtisglassart.com
4. Eurotune Motorcycles Art Studio - motor bikes and art - what a great combination. 144 Uriarra Road, Queanbeyan, ph: 6297 8636.
5. Neil Dickinson's Studio - local sculptor and creator of 'Morty' the snail. 60 Beaumont Crescent, The Ridgeway, ph: 0429 600 040, neil.dickinson59@yahoo.com.au
6. Georgina Poulos' Studio - local abstract painter opens her studio for the first time. 19 Taylor Place, Queanbeyan, ph: 6297 5156.
7. Julie Ryder mixed media artist - 158 Halloran Drive, Jerrabomberra, ph: 0415 230 555, made-by-me-julieryder.blogspot.com/.
8. Cheryl Hodges' Studio - highly regarded local botanical artist. 259 Bicentennial Drive, Jerrabomberra, ph 0402 436 723, www.cherylhodges.com.
9. Fiona Hill's Studio - mixed media artist Fiona opens up her studio for the first time. 6/53 Walker Crescent, Jerrabomberra, ph: 0438 890456, www.fionahillartist.com.au.