In fact, he’s been at every single one of them.
Making the trip down from Queensland to take part in this year’s event, starting this Saturday, Kerry is putting the skills he’s been honing for the past 40 years to the test.
And not wanting to fall into the cliché of the ‘our country life’ theme, Kerry is avoiding painting a tractor in a field at all costs.
‘‘I didn’t want to do that, but I’m still going to be painting a typical Aussie scene,’’ he said.
While the artists have to remain tight-lipped until the meet the artists dinner on Friday night, the organising committee is promising some very interesting works will be appearing on the mural boards in the coming week.
For Kerry, the Rochester Mural Festival forms part of a long list of events he’s painted at, but it’s one he hold close to his heart.
‘‘One of my favourites was the one I painted in Rochy last year and I’m fairly proud of one I painted last year in New Zealand,’’ he said.
‘‘I painted it with my son and we won that competition.’’
As to the appeal of Rochester festival for Kerry is a week of painting and mateship.
‘‘I pick Rochester because I like to put myself up against some of the best and be around people who speak the same artistic language as me,’’ he said.
‘‘The people organising the festival do the hard work. We get a pat on the back because we’re out there painting but they’re the ones who are there before and after working behind the scenes.’’
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