Certificate of authenticity
Donald Turner
This body of work has been verified as human‑created with no more than de minimis use of AI. Proudly Human assessed this artist’s work and creative process at the time they applied. The submitted materials are never made public.
- Certification number
- 1000-0102-5168
- Certification date
- 27 September 2026
This certification confirms the artist’s work was reviewed and verified as human‑created by the Proudly Human team. If you believe this certification is being misused, email support@proudlyhuman.org.
In their own words
Shared and kept up to date by Donald Turner.
About the artist
Returning to oil painting on canvas for the first time since school and university and experiencing it through older eyes is a bit special to me. I never really saw myself as an artist after a professional career as a wordsmith in both journalism and government communications. I suppose it’s possible to call yourself a paint smith without being too much of a try hard, following some time as a “wordsmith”.
About the work
Returning to roots through Australian expressionist / impressionist landscapes painted in oil on canvas. Painting regularly for the first time since school and university with some life experience is a wonderful thing. I suppose it’s possible to call yourself a paint smith without being too much of a try hard, given I was a “wordsmith” way back when. I’m drawn to the great stillness of the Australian landscape, through observation and memory, especially of far‑western Queensland where we grew up in Min Min country between Boulia and Dajarra.
Inspiration
Finally freed of best‑laid plans and life happenings, however temporarily, any time spent with a paint brush feels like a light breeze. Crucially I have the time to devote to painting since returning to Toowoomba after selling our farm at Coondoo near Gympie in 2021‑22. Before that I worked with Queensland government communications and community engagement teams during reconstruction of our roads and highways after the 2010‑11 event and construction of the Toowoomba Bypass. The Darling Downs is perfect for pictures if we have the time to notice them. Painting is how I stay connected to people, places and landscapes that shape my outlook. Toowoomba itself has the light, weather, space and quiet character of home.
Process
Sometimes I feel the draw of a particular location, usually within an hour's drive of Toowoomba. I drive and images often materialise from the mirage. I try to not look to the side while driving. There are some ingenious parks for that and some easier places to park, generally with an outlook. I'll soak up the ambience for a bit, check the lay of the land and snap away on the phone, relying on repetition and digital to throw up one or two intriguing scenes. If they are memorable enough to survive beyond the drive home I'll probably cull them from the herd put them on a minute‑minute rotation on the homescreen and see what resonates. The pictures tell the story.