Despite being just 23-years-old, Port Lincoln-based artist and proud Wirangu/Dieri/Kokatha/Mirning man, Presten Warren, has already gained attention as one of the Indigenous community's top young creatives.

Whilst Warren is a celebrated artist in his own right, his business, Painted Studios, has seen him gain further recognition and respect as both an established artist and leading business owner.

Since launching in 2022, Painted Studios has had a wealth of success, including a nomination as a finalist for the Best New Business Award in the National Self-Employment Association Awards.

"Since launching my business Painted Studios in September 2022, I have been progressing as an Indigenous artist and small business owner at lightning speed," Mr Warren said.

"I have been receiving so much recognition that at times it seems surreal and so many new projects that it's hard to keep up."

Although now living in Port Lincoln, Warren was born in Port Augusta and grew in Ceduna.

"I am a descendant of the desert and ocean tribes of Australia. I am a country boy, have country blood and country in my soul," he said.

Whilst Mr Warren has always enjoyed art as a creative outlet, he never predicted it would become his career.

"I have always been interested in art and have used it as an outlet since I was little but I never imagined it would be my job," he said.

"My partner started his own web design business and encouraged me to start my own art studio when I successfully auctioned off my first painting for a local charity… since then it has been a complete rollercoaster."

In addition to gaining a significant amount of inspiration from his mother and late grandmother, Mr Warren also turns to Country and his local surroundings for fresh inspiration and artistic ideas.

"I turn to Country for fresh inspiration, living on the Eyre Peninsula I am surrounded by the ocean, mountains and lush green scrub which gives me inspiration to paint stories from my ocean tribe heritage," he said.

"I very rarely find myself lacking inspiration, our culture is so rich and vast, I find it easy to connect with my roots and to tell my stories.

"I can always think back to my childhood, being out on Country with my Nanna, learning about the land, our family and our culture to get a rush of new ideas."

Having sold more than 150 paintings (including 25 private & commercial commissions,) received several awards, secured international contracts and travelled across Australia all within only 12 months of starting his business, Warren's work can be seen far and wide.

Aside from licensing his artwork to several small-medium sized businesses, winning the People's Choice Award in the 2023 Malka Aboriginal Art Prize for his painting titled Munda and receiving the Port Lincoln NAIDOC Award for Youth, Mr Warren was also lucky enough to have BHP invite him to their Olympic Dam Village in Roxby Downs to perform a live painting for staff in their dining room.

"I would love to be able to partner with a major brand to produce my designs on a large scale so everyone can own a piece and love my artworks as much as I do," Mr Warren told Style Up.

"I like to think big and it would be amazing to see my art on planes, helicopters, buildings/structures and on the international stage so I can shine a light for the world to celebrate Indigenous Australia."

When discussing the advice he would give to those wishing to pursue a successful career as an artist, Mr Warren was direct in his response.

"Work hard on your passion, refine your talent, be professional, learn from your mistakes, network within the industry, seek out opportunities and don't stop promoting yourself and your work," he said.

"Talk about everything you create, show everything you do and tell everyone you possibly can."

Despite 2024 fast approaching Mr Warren still has a series of projects he is working on for a 2023 release and completion.

"I have just finished working on my first ever Reconciliation Action Plan artwork for South Australia's largest employer, SA Power Networks which will be announced in the coming days and my next project will be a mural for AECOM in Adelaide's Westpac Building," he said.

"I have quite a few projects lined up in partnership with some big names, some I can't talk about just yet and some that I'll keep under wraps for now."

Whilst projects may be locked in, Mr Warren enjoys letting his creative side guide him on what he will do and create next.

"Every day I wake up and can't wait to see what will happen next," he said.

More information on Presten Warren and Painted Studios can be found at www.paintedstudios.com.au

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