“William Blake’s character Orc and I did a metaphorical bar hop and imagined our way into a bar in Richmond on a typically cold, wet winter Melbourne evening. The windows were steamed up from the kitchen and after many whisky shots we were both worse for wear. Back in my real-time studio of course, it was gin & tonics…So, in my imaginary studio conversations, Orc was in verbal stream-of-consciousness about how men saw their violence as crucial to their hero’s journey…

This is a new drypoint print about my ‘imaginary’ meeting with William Blake’s Orc from his poem America a Prophecy (1793). In my process of painting Australia a Prophecy in 2021, I engaged with William Blake’s poem America a Prophecy and that poem’s main character Orc. The following is a transcript from my 2023 talk to The Blake Society in January 2023. I used the term “imaginary conversation” in a performative way to bring my process alive in that talk and to walk the audience through the concept of a focused imagination as a ‘doorway’ into the visionary processes…

This print was created as a visual prayer to my God (but choose your own with my blessing:) to prevent the architects of the AUKUS agreement from completing their frightening visions - for visionary power can be used for any ends. I hope it assists you to create your own navigational tool that doesn’t break too easily in rough storms…As we witness Blake’s Lions and Wolves (Australian & US &UK governments, military and supporting journalists) converge to show their true identity in their attacks and silencing of those opposing AUKUS …

This is a video note from yesterday when I worked on drypoint prints with fellow Perth-based international artist Monika Lukowska in March 2023. They are based on my imaginary conversations with William Blake's character Orc for my painting Australia a Prophecy (2021). I completed four unique state prints, which used more of my painting techniques that I thought I would,…