I had a colourful childhood; my Dad was a lighthouse keeper and I did my first year of schooling by school of the air. When we went back to the mainland we messed around in boats for a few years around South Australia. We went to California for three years. Then Alice Springs; that was a hard move at thirteen, then Darwin.
Next came eight dismal years of tying to make it in trades; cheffing, baking and installing TV antennas. I just couldn’t make it work the way my parents said it worked. I rescued from this time: yr11 drama class, community radio, scuba diving, backpacking around Europe and lighting for amateur theatre.
The overwhelming advice from everyone else was to get an education in the arts. So I quit my job installing TV antennas with my Dad and went off in search of God, Truth, art and a meeting to my life.
I went to StIves in far south west Cornwall and immersed my self in modern art. Then Bristol for philosophy, English literature and performance art, all while learning to juggle. Then clique Melbourne for English and print making, while learning to juggle and attending role playing game conventions. But unfortunately I went psychotic come exams for both study attempts.
For completely delusional reasons I end up trying to start up an installations business like my Dad’s; all while dealing with untreated psychotic anxiety.
Finally I end up in hospital. I am told there is no supernatural force forcing me to work in trades. I shout “I’m a clown not a worker!” And they deem me fit for the world. I do a TV antennas for a fairy who diagnoses me with repressed clown syndrome; how did she know? On April 1st 1998 I register Klutz the troppo juggler.
In 1999 I end up getting a ride on the navy boat to East Timor to do some clowning. I end up getting stuck there creating a real mess. They had to get me out off Darwin and my parents in Queensland are offering to take me on. I end up getting involved with festivals. Well paid and a lot of fun when the work comes in; but it is a long while between gigs. Then this circus rocks up. It’s not the greatest show on earth and there obviously wasn’t much money in it. But regular work and an escape from my parents back yard were appealing so I was a genuine circus clown for twelve years.
For five years I was a Liberal Arts student at a Christian collage. The Milis Institute was dedicated to all that is good, beautiful and true. We would read heaving going books and discuss them with the guidance of a wise doctor. I got a diploma in the Foundations of Wisdom and the better part of a degree. I grew in my understanding of both Jewish and Greek wisdom.
Now I am putting the clown aside and taking up painting and drawing. Pen, pencil and water colour on paper; cheep and easy to stow away. I have my writing to work on. I’ll get my first novel written some day
Clown Artist Philosopher 