He took up painting classes at Moree TAFE as a hobby in retirement.

The painting he is pictured with is called Mehi Crescent.

His painting will be part of an exhibition that delegates from the ALGWA conference can attend as part of the Women Making A Splash Event in Moree next week.

It is his portrayal of the mission in Moree in which he grew up.

He said the painting was from the memories he had of growing up.

He portrays animals in the Mehi River such as fish, turtles and yabbies.

“The animals escape from the heat to the river,” he said.

It took him six months to paint the prolific work.

He said the teachers at TAFE had helped him a lot.

“When I first started I couldn’t do anything until I started TAFE.

“I just learnt everything here.

“Elizabeth von Gavel and Anne Johnson are great teachers,” he said.

He loves doing art and attends art classes four days a week.

“I never did art when I was younger as I was too busy working,” he said.

At the classes he does screen prints, painting, computers and a bit of everything, he said.

TAFE creative services teacher Elizabeth von Gavel said that he has a go at everything.

“He is part of a mentoring group working with young people in the community.

“He does community work and art which is fabulous,” she said. Mr French sells his artworks to tourists at the Moree Coach bus stop and when they visit at the art workshop.