FEATURE - The Barefoot Bookkeeper

Aged in his thirties and with a young family to support, Brett Campbell did the unthinkable. He chucked in his secure banking job to go frolicking in the unconventional lifestyle of a fulltime mosaic artist – and he’s never looked back!

by Judy Fredriksen

Growing up in the tiny town of Barmera in South Australia, not far from the New South Wales/Victorian borders, Brett was a normal teenage boy. He hated school. He wasn’t good at it, and he didn’t fit in. But even as a teenager, his enterprising and adventurous spirit was evident.

“I just applied for a job in year 12 to get out of doing exams – and got it! They gave me the job!” His parents were elated (and relieved!).

Gifted with an astute mathematical mind, he found himself working for the ANZ Bank and in no time, was being promoted.

When some other family members made their way to Queensland in 1984, he followed and settled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. By age 26, he was the manager of the Metway Bank at Buderim, a job that he found to be completely soulless

“Eventually I left the bank, through being disillusioned with the system. I really have a lot of trouble with corporate systems and authority. I don’t do authority that well.”

A brief stint as a finance consultant, helping business people obtain a better deal from banks, did nothing to relieve Brett’s suffering under corporate controls.

“So one day out of frustration I just made a mosaic, and another one the next night. It was unstoppable, I just couldn’t stop.”

Slowly, Brett’s enthusiasm for creating mosaics began to nurture his artistically starved soul.  He prolifically churned out piece after piece, unleashing the creative flair that had been lurking within for so long. Though still working as a finance consultant, he finally took the plunge and presented his work in an exhibition. Much to his delight, he sold enough pieces to give him the courage to give up banking completely and become a fulltime mosaic artist.

And in a symbolic gesture of his new carefree lifestyle, Brett shed his tie, shoes and razor! He hasn’t worn a tie since; the salt and pepper beard does little to hide his infectiously cheerful demeanour; and he rarely wears shoes.

“(At the time) it was a decision that very few of my friends and family could understand. And to be honest, in the earlier years (it was) a decision I questioned myself many times.

But it was absolutely liberating.

“My life since the day I decided to follow my passion has been dotted with some tremendous highs and lows. But in hindsight, I wouldn’t change a thing. The lows have rewarded me with personal growth and wisdom, and the highs have inspired me to move on to bigger and better things.”

More than two decades later, Brett’s vibrantly coloured mosaics not only grace buildings, homes and gardens around the Sunshine Coast, but have also found their way to locations all over Australia.

Becoming an artist has created a freedom Brett had never known before – he loves the lifestyle that art facilities.

“I don’t just make art – I do lots of other things.”

The mathematical brain remains sharp, and in keeping with his tie-less and shoe-less image, he does bookkeeping under the guise of ‘The Barefoot Bookkeeper’. He is also the treasurer for the Maleny Arts Co-op, runs weekly mosaic classes, and caretakes a property.

Never one to shy away from challenges, Brett has spent the past few years working on a pièce de résistance, a huge mosaic piece that four years ago he thought was “too problematic” to tackle. Brett had long been mesmerised by ‘The Kiss’, a shimmering bold image of a rapturous couple enveloped in gold by the famous Austrian artist – Gustav Klimt. But he did not have the resources to create such a magnificent work.

Enter talented potter and ceramicist – Kari. The two had known each other for some time, so upon learning of Brett’s reluctance, Kari asked him “What’s the problem?”

As Brett listed all the hurdles, Kari calmly replied, “I can do that!” She had a solution for each of his concerns, and so a happy collaboration was born. Together, they have been working on ‘The Kiss Project’ and hope to have it completed this year.

As for working together, the couple agree they have the perfect arrangement – Kari makes the tiles and Brett breaks them!

When looking to the future, Brett has a pretty simplistic and admirable philosophy.

“I think life’s just day-by-day. I honestly don’t look that far ahead. I have a wonderful life here in this gorgeous place and every day is great. I don’t really have ambitions or goals.

“I believe that the world runs on love, not money.”

And for those who may be reading this, marvelling at Brett’s carefree attitude and lifestyle, but lacking his incredible artistic talent, Brett has this advice:

“I would really like to put the callout to people to try volunteering. Volunteering has just made my life in Maleny amazing. It’s not that hard and you’ll be in the fabric of our society if you get in and volunteer. There’s so many places you can meet new people and be part of something.”

And if you’re like Brett, with some luck you won’t have to wear a tie or shoes!