Greenacre Public school Garden Mural by Antonio Dela Souza in Saint Ives

Art is my passion, and I make sure to practice it every day. It's a big part of my life, and I incorporate it into my work as a mental health professional, using creativity as a therapeutic tool. I'm a Sydney-based artist, a husband, and a dad to three amazing gremlins. As a mental health professional, I truly believe in the healing power of creativity. I've been drawing since I was a kid, and over the years, I've dabbled in painting with all sorts of mediums—like aerosol, oils, acrylics, watercolors, and inks. These days, I'm really into digital art, using tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Premiere, and mostly Procreate. I also love sculpting. I've worked with polymer clay, made silicone molds, and done resin replication. I can sculpt sandstone, weld steel, and enjoy woodworking and construction. My sculptures range from tiny 5mm pieces to massive two-story installations. Before I got into mental health, I worked as a fabricator for production design companies, building stage props and sets, and creating light sculptures for events like the Chinese New Year and the Vivid Light Festival. For the past 14 years, I've been involved in graffiti art and mural work. I've managed projects with both veteran and new artists, like creating entrance archways for the MTV Music Awards and running street art workshops for youth. I've painted on all kinds of surfaces, from glass to leather. With my fabrication background, I can solve just about any artistic problem that comes my way.