Henry 'Hank' Spirek secured a spot in Artavita's Top 60 Artists of the Year while steering clear of painting what society would expect

"My art is expressive, or expressionist; and it's trying to make a point about society," Mr Spirek said.

"For me, art isn't about making pretty pictures - about making expensive wallpaper or painting gumtrees - and the reality is, it's not necessarily what people want."

The Chicago-borne artist started painting in the 60s - during a time when the United States faced many conflicts as a nation - and his creative process absorbed much of the era's events, expressing the unsettled nature of the country at the time.

"When I started painting it was during the mid-60's, and it was a very turbulent time in the US," he said.

"There were race riots and all sorts of issues - the Vietnam war, high-profile people being assassinated - so there was a lot of anger, and that was expressed through much of the art during my years in university at the time."

In receipt of a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Painting, and having exhibited in art galleries across the globe - including the Southwestern United States, Canada's Montreal, Sydney and regional surrounds - the well-travelled painter knows about the difficulties that artists face in the creative industry.

"There are many stumbling blocks to having exposure as an artist, and getting into galleries is very difficult, even in metropolitan areas," he said.

"Artists have to pay for advertising, framing, space in a gallery, and without a well-heeled mate or a partner to support you - or deep pockets of your own - it's difficult."

Though he's had many successes on virtual exhibiting platforms during the pandemic - including awards from art groups such as California's Artavita, Florida's Artsy Shark, and international group Circle Foundation for the Arts - Mr Spirek feels his luck, since moving to Orange in mid-2018, has just about run out.

"Unfortunately here in Orange, I haven't had much luck," he said.

"Regional areas need more art galleries to increase opportunity for artist exposure, and those rural areas need more support."

With Mr Spirek turning 75 years old in the new year, he's now making plans to sell his unit in Orange and retire in Morocco - a country in western North Africa - which neighbours Europe; a collection of countries well-versed in all-things art.

"I've been an artist for over 50 years, so moving to Morocco is the next dream once international travel opens back up," Mr Spirek said.

"If I was a young artist living in Australia, I'd say to you go to the cities as your first step; do your research on what it requires, and have your [true] work exposed."

Focused on capturing emotions and feelings, the exposure of Mr Spirek's art over his many decades in the industry are unpinned by the varying qualities of expressionism.

In his figurative collection, for example, a piece titled Frieda Broken Hearted No.2 depicts the famous painter, Frida Kahlo - a female artist from Mexico - who Mr Spirek painted with thorns enveloping her neck, inspired by Kahlo's own self-portrait.

"Women artists were not really regarded as well as men," he said.

"But [Frida Kahlo] was a passionate woman who really fought against the odds; a real fighter who stood up for herself and wasn't bashful about what she thought."

An artist not afraid to speak his own mind, Mr Spirek hopes that the world of art in Australia eventually progresses to a point where there are more opportunities for both emerging, and established artists.

Though, if all goes to plan, he'll hope all of this from the mountainous Morocco in the not-so-far future.