Cliff Sheldrake

Cliff began his career aged 17, in a Graphic Design and Illustration Studio and at 21 became assistant studio director. In 1971 he joined Myer Queensland Advertising Department on a freelance basis doing illustration for press and brochure production.

Through his agency involvement Cliff was recommended to Heritage Building Society to do a water colour painting of a heritage home to be featured on their 1981 calendar. Thus began a 30 year involvement. The works are now recognized as one of the finest collections of heritage homes in Australia.

Queensland Cement and Lime also gave Cliff a 2 year commission for a series of twelve water colour paintings, Norman Rockwell style, to represent the various facets of their organisation. These paintings were reproduced in their 1996 and 1997 calendars.

Over the years Cliff has had many milestone commissions including promotional black and white illustrations for the 1982 Commonwealth Games; a series of works for Expo ‘88; an oil painting for Dennings Coaches to commemorate their centenary year in conjunction with the Queensland bi centennial; a series of eight black and white illustrations for the Queensland Cultural Centre depicting the various theatrical art forms involved with the centre; original water colour of the proposed Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast which was ultimately framed to hang in Jupiters International Headquarters, Los Angeles and also original oil paintings of interior perspectives for the launch of Conrad Treasury Casino in Brisbane.

In 1995, Cliff was commissioned by Tenneco Gas Inc to do a water colour painting to commemorate the launch of Tenneco Gas Australia. This painting, depicting all facets of outback Australia namely station homestead, flora, fauna and, of course, the construction of a gas pipeline, was officially unveiled by the Premier of Queensland, Hon Wayne Goss, MLA and the president of Tenneco Gas Inc, Mr Stephen D Chesebrò.

In 1997 Cliff designed a montage water colour illustration depicting various sports to appear in the magazine "Leather International". The finished work was so well received that it was used for the front cover of the magazine both in London and Paris.

1998 saw a Gold Coast developer persuade the Versace fashion empire to diversify into luxury hotel design which has brought about a "first in the world" - Palazzo Versace, on The Spit, Gold coast. For the launch Cliff was commissioned to produce a series of water colour paintings for the Versace book plus fine art works to hang in the Penthouse and Condominium Suites.

F A Pidgeon & Son commissioned Cliff in 1998 to produce a water colour montage combining all the major buildings constructed by the company. Once again the result was more than favourably received.

Prior to the 2000 Olympics Cliff was commissioned to produce water colour paintings of two of Australia's finest swimmers, Suzie O'Neill and Grant Hackett. These were reproduced as limited edition prints personally signed by the athletes. In recent years The Port of Brisbane Authority has asked Cliff to design and produce water colour paintings as a thank you token on the occasion of a retiring manager. In each instance the painting was to depict the specific area in which the manager was involved. These paintings have received high acclaim.

Many of his original illustrations are now recognised as fine art pieces and are held in corporate collections. Cliff has received numerous National and State awards for his works including the Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards (Pica), both State and National; and also numerous Brisbane Art Directors Club Awards.