Sophia Watson is an artist who likes to do things big.
She is studying a Bachelor of Fine Art Griffith University, but her passion for art therapy drives her to create murals that enthral anyone who sees them.
“I see art as a way to bring joy to people, whether it be the artist themselves or the viewer,” she explained.
Sophia moved up to the mountain close to her family just after Christmas and began working on her first commission here in Justin Avenue.
“I thought, what can I do beyond a canvas and thought the rainwater tank was a beautiful canvas that would bring beauty. The tanks themselves tend to be an eye sore,” she said.
“Friends gave me my first opportunity to do a mural and a lot of creative freedom.”
“They wanted to incorporate local flora and fauna, they also wanted a panda skydiving and scuba diving.”
Sophia was keen to incorporate the indigenous history of the mountain with a powerful women’s focus.
She said while painting the healing mandala on the top of the water tank, birds and bees would swarm around her.
“I was constantly covered in bees. The owners of the property had not noticed bees around before,” she said.
Sophia said she now has her sights set on a few more tanks she’s spotted on the streets.
“It’s a passion and joy. I see people walk by and think it’s so beautiful and it makes me smile,” the young artist said.
“I fell in love with murals during covid. In Brisbane there was an art movement going on at the time to do with murals and youth mental health.
“Tamborine Mountain is an artsy group of people who appreciate art, so I wanted to bring that inspiration here.”
