In Art A Fish Doesn’t Have To Be In The Sea

Contemporary Abstract Artist

When I paint badly it's my fault. When I paint well, it has nothing to do with me.

Shane Garton (managing Capra7ArtStudio) is a contemporary Australian abstract expressionist artist and photographer currently based in Hobart, Tasmania.

Artistic Career and Style

Abstract Expressionism: His work primarily focuses on abstract painting, often described as intuitive and heavily influenced by nature, music and poetry.

  • Musical Influence: He cites jazz and instrumental musicians like Wouter Veldhuis, Ketil Bjørnstad, Brian Eno, Albrecht La’Brooy, Nik Bärtsch and his brother Andrew Garton as primary inspirations for his artworks.as primary inspirations for his artworks.

  • Mediums: He utilises a variety of mediums, including acrylics, oil, inks, charcoal, gouache, and some digital intervention for his limited-edition prints.

  • Current Projects: He is currently working on two series, Cannot Be Containedand "It Just Is".

Background and Education

  • Academic Training: He holds a Diploma of Arts from Alexander Mackie College (1981) and a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the City Art Institute (1984), majored in fine art and photography.

  • International Experience: Garton lived in Canada for fifteen years, where he had exhibitions and commissions, plus taught art classes at The Burlington Cultural Centre in Ontario. He also managed an art gallery in British Columbia for nine years before returning to Australia.

  • Mentorship: Beyond his own practice, he has been recognised as a mentor to other artists, emphasising the importance of curiosity and imagination.

Portrait of Australian artist Shane Garton, in his studio wearing a blue shirt and beaded necklace. Inset photograph shows him with his dog beside the Derwent River beneath a wide blue sky, a single lonely cloud above the distant Tasmanian landscape.

Majored in Art and Photography.

1981Diploma of Arts – Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education.

1983Graduate Diploma in Professional Art Studies, Sydney College of Advanced Education.

1984Bachelor of Visual Arts – City Art Institute.

1985 – Emigrated to Canada. Taught art classes for four years at the Burlington Culture Centre, Burlington, Ontario Canada.

1990 – 2000 - Opened and managed for ten years an art gallery in Kimberley, British Columbia.

Now ☀️ Based painting full-time in Lutana, nipaluna / Hobart, Tasmania - Australia.

Crafted with Care
Artwork "Piet The Minimalist Dropped Into The Bauhaus", featured behind glass displayed in a gallery setting with above lighting.

Featured Canvas Print

  • Museum-grade giclée on archival poly-cotton canvas.

  • Hand-stretched, scratch and warp resistant.

  • Solid floater frames, pre-installed sawtooth hanger, ready to hang.

Follow Me On Social

Abstract colorful artwork with warm tones, geometric shapes, and light effects displayed in an art gallery.
A colorful abstract artwork piece displayed on a square canvas in an art gallery setting, with lights shining on it.
Artwork piece with vibrant green colors, depicting a half circular shape on the left and striped patterns on the right, displayed in an art gallery.
Artwork displayed in a glass display case with spotlights, featuring abstract patterns in white, pink, and brown tones. People are seen observing other artworks in the background of the gallery.
Connect With Me On Instagram