What keeps you inspired to revisit our Tawny Grogmouth fundraiser each year?
Since the inaugural Tawny Grogmouth, launched during the peak of COVID when we were all doing cheeky Bucketty’s drive-thru’s, and raising over 10 grand for WIRES, it became clear this project was something meaningful for our community. This collab means Bucketty’s gets to create a tasty limited-release beer, the Tawny spreads the word, I get creative freedom, the community gets to enjoy amazing local beer and merch, and at the end of it we get to hand over a big check to the vets and carers who dedicate their time and skills to rehabilitating and releasing our local wildlife. Four years on, it’s a treat and a privilege to continue this tradition.
Community impact is a big part of your work. How has this contributed to your business?
Tash (the other half of Brentos) and I do our best to contribute to the community as much as we can while keeping our small business on track. It’s cool to see how our work has become part of the local landscape and how warmly the community has embraced it. Earlier this year, we had the awesome privilege of donating four large murals to the children’s ward at Northern Beaches Hospital, a really special project. We’ve also partnered with Greenpeace to help onboard new supporters, and right now, I’m creating key visuals for a koala hospital in Queensland, sponsored by an iconic Aussie brand.
How has your style evolved to balance commercial projects with your passion for Aussie wildlife?
My style has stayed pretty consistent, with wildlife, big surf, and pastel tones as constants. It’s illustrative and cartoon-like, which makes it more adaptable to commercial work compared to other forms and genres of illustration or fine art. Over the years, I’ve refined that adaptability, finding ways to bring in elements that resonate with commercial audiences while keeping my core themes. Working on commercial projects has actually helped me grow, pushing me to explore new ideas and techniques while staying true to the cheeky, Aussie vibe that defines my work.
Your new book, “Wild Australia: Our Marine and National Parks” just hit shelves! What do you hope readers take away from this exploration of Australia’s natural landscapes?
This book is a delightful mashup of my last two books, combining the simplicity in composition from my first book with the intricate detail of the second. This time, I wanted to explore Australia’s national and marine parks and show readers that these parks are not only beautiful places to spend time in but are also vital to biodiversity protection and cultural heritage. My hope is that readers come away with a deeper appreciation for these protected spaces; how they safeguard unique ecosystems, support endangered species, and carry rich Indigenous history.
What’s next for Brentos?
We’re still a young business and very much in the “figuring it out as we go” stage, but each year things are feeling a bit more predictable. I’ve got three more books in the pipeline, and after that, I’ll be looking to streamline the business side so I can focus more on the creative work. As for fun projects, I’m currently creating key visuals for a koala hospital set to launch next year, and my biggest collab yet – getting engaged to Tash! Yewwww!
Follow Brentos
Follow @artofbrentos on socials and visit brentos.com.au for all updates, merch, books, wildlife-inspired goodies, and more.
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Are you an artist local to the Northern Beaches and want to be featured in the Tawny Frogmouth? Email mail@thetawnyfrogmouth.com.au