Kerry’s Art

Kerry Playford owner/operator of KP Signs was born in Brisbane in 1958.  My passion for art, drawing, design and a desire to paint started in my early years whilst in primary school.  My first formal art training began in the early 1970’s at the original Queensland Art College, on George Street Brisbane.  I then took my skills with paint on to become a signwriter, which commenced with a four year apprenticeship in signwriting, screen printing and pictorial design.

Traditional signwriting, and my ability to paint art took me to great heights through the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, (long before digital printing evolved) there were many great signwriters, but few that could paint artistic designs and pictures.  I was among a handful of tradesmen in Brisbane working on the “big billboard and large sign jobs”, the largest being 107 metres x 4 metres.

I combined real art into the signwriting industry, which gave extremely pleasing results of which I achieved two Australasian Design Awards.

In early 2000 I secured a few large clients, including Queensland Rail and Brisbane Busways in 2005.

KP Signs evolved in Brisbane in 1983, where I was residing at the time, and stayed in operation in Brisbane until 2006, when I finally moved KP Signs business to its current location on the Sunshine Coast, in a bid to be closer to the beaches for my surfing recreation.

So here I am, on the Sunshine Coast, and loving it. I specialise in outdoor and indoor murals for business and individuals, unique designed signage, and at present I am also painting commissioned large canvases, predominantly for prestigious homes on the Sunshine Coast, and mainly through referrals.

My art is inspired by anything different that catches my eye, also realism, which is often obtained from my own personal photography.

My goal is to keep producing unique signage, and to exhibit my art through exhibitions on the Sunshine Coast, and continue to produce many fabulous pieces, be well known, appreciated and accepted in the Art World.

I also desire to maintain art supply to countries including Switzerland, Italy, China, Japan, United States, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Awards, exhibitions and recognition

1984 Surf photography for advertising in “Tracks and Surfing World magazines”.

1995 First place winner “vehicle sign category” in Australian Design Awards.

1996 First place winner “vehicle sign category” in Australian Design Awards.

2001 Art exhibited at “Surf Art Expo” Mudjimba (article Sunshine Coast Daily).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2002-2005 Exhibitions and airbrushing display workshops for “Airbrush Art Association of Queensland”.

2003-2005 Artist profile of the month, including other articles and photo galleries of my art in “Visual Impact Promotions” magazine.

2006-2009 Art displayed in galleries at Montville, Caloundra and Noosa.

2008 Contestant in “The Australian Body Art Carnival”.