Creative Life

Martin Vierdag's Journey

Martin Vierdag looks back at his transformation from a Dutch migrant child to a surfboard shaper, craftsman, and artist in A Creative Life.

He describes his journey from a surfing life in Victoria, Australia, what it was like to return to his native Holland to study fine arts, and how he became a respected craftsman and artist.

On his return to Australia, he held several exhibitions, also becoming a self-taught builder who produced many fine homes featuring stone and timber. All the while, he continued to produce paintings focusing on the human condition and our environment.

At the time, not many people found his work to be of interest, but the themes he has focused on have become increasingly relevant.

The book includes many photographs of the author’s paintings and domestic buildings.

While researching and producing this book, the author discovered he is on the autistic spectrum, which he found explained much about his life.