Glenn Brady, Painter, Queensland, Australia

Yard of the Madhouse. 50 cm x 30 cm, Glenn Brady

Glenn Brady: “Childhood was good in the fact that Mum and Dad, even though strict, especially Mum, would let us go and do as we please. I did spent a lot of time on my own. Roaming around the suburb, which I loved. Ordinary Aussie burb. Half houses, and then a huge industrial estate full of factories, and a train line running through the middle. I love trains. Used to spend hours playing or just sitting on the tracks. They had me reading very early as well, and listening to music.”

Crows and the Kid. pastels and acrylics on cardboard, 50 cm x 35 cm

Crows, Factories and Me. 100 cm x 100 cm

The Big Red Boat (kids playground) 150 cm x 100 cm

“But my mother was prone to very bad depression and was hospitalized for a long time when I was five.”

"Together Alone," pastels and acrylics on cardboard, 30 cm x 45 cm

Together Alone, pastels & acrylics on cardboard, 30 cm x 45 cm

“I think being the mum of three fairly wild boys was too much.”

Living by the Freeway. 90 cm x 120 cm

“I never had any dreams for a future. And still don’t. Nothing like that interests me. Never has.”

Smoking Lounge. PA psyche ward, pastels and acrylics on cardboard, 35 cm x 35 cm

“If I didn’t paint, I would do nothing. And be happy with that. When I went to high school, which I loathed, I started to get daily migraines and really bad nightmares.”

Bringing the Unwell. 120 cm x 120 cm

“Which I still do. Maybe four times a week.”

Creature in the Underpass. 50 cm x 35 cm

“My mother walked out on us when I was sixteen. No reasons. Bag in both hands. Said, ‘that’s it. I’m going!'”

Drinking with Ghosts. 50 cm x 30 cm

“I didn’t see her for four years. And still rarely do. Have seen my father twice since that day. Older brother, four times. But am close to my brother Greg.”

The Family Who Forgot to Talk. 50 cm x 32 cm

“I had a breakdown at sixteen as well, due to drugs–just before she left. Almost committed suicide. I couldn’t walk outside without having massive anxiety. Even just to catch a train, be at a mall, etc.. So finding a job became hell.”

Screaming Building, pastels and acrylics on cardboard, 50 cm x 35 cm

“And since I didn’t know what was wrong with me, I began to drink to hide it. A lot. Still do.”

Drunken Couple, acrylics and pastels on pasteboard, 50 cm x 35 cm

“I moved out to live with a bunch of other drunken teens. Around 1982 with no family around, I found punk rock, and got very involved in it. Like being a kid again. And part of ‘something.’ Colorful. And loud.”