Debbie Mackinnon and Mike Staniford are both contemporary landscape artists based in Sydney, Australia. Debbie trained as an illustrator in London and worked in publishing for many years as an art director. Mike had a long career in graphic design as the Creative director of a large branding company. Moving to Australia 30 years ago, the light and colours in the landscape inspired them both to embrace painting again and now they share a studio and exhibit regularly. They both love to embrace mark making outside and find new ways to look at landscape. Debbie taught drawing and illustration at Billy Blue Design College for 15 years and has taught numerous art workshops in Australia and overseas. Mike mentored others in the design industry for many years and has taught many workshops with Debbie where they bounce creative ideas off one another. Both Debbie and Mike exhibit regularly, they love to travel and paint wherever they go.
