Gareth grew up in Wellington, where there was always talk of 'the big one,' a long overdue earthquake that was going to cause mass devastation.

It never came, but Gareth spent a large portion of his childhood worrying about it.

When he joined advertising, that same anxiety reared its head again. This time it was the anxiety to do great work and prove himself. But rather than let it unnerve him, Gareth found a way to channel that energy and use it as a driving force.

And after a successful career in advertising and graphic design, Gareth continues to use those nerves to push the boundaries of his art.

What started out as a simple way of staying in control of his creative in the bleak world of advertising has now become a fulltime profession.

Gareth has set aside the next two years at least to just paint and develop his art career. He won't be sitting through another soul-destroying meeting in advertising for the near future, quite possibly ever again. How good is that!

Gareth's passion for art is driven by his pride in being a New Zealander. His ancestors were early European settlers, and he feels a deep connection to the land and the people.

He started out painting giant portraits of Maori ancestors that he would then meticulously fill with dots, giving movement to the paintings and therefore perpetual life.

He got to present one of these paintings to the Maori King, a day he'll never forget. Another one of his masterpieces was the runner up for People's Choice in the Adam Portraiture Prize.

These days, he's started painting portraits of people he is connected to through his Maori art. Unlike his previous works, these start out as photographs that Gareth then uses as a base for his final piece.

He's working on one such canvas when we visit him in his home studio in Sydney's suburbs. It's a sprawling piece that fills the wall of his studio, with proud, piercing eyes. It's three-quarter finished, with a little touching up to be done and the trademark dots to put in.

Gareth paints at home rather than a studio so he can be around the family. The missus watches TV or reads, his son watches YouTube or does his homework depending on how good the fellow's been, and Gareth paints. This way, the Barlows get to be a family and he gets to work on his art at the same time.

Gareth's a carver as well. His carving studio is set up in the garage. It's full of whale and mammoth bones that Gareth carves his masterpieces onto. An All Blacks poster adorns the wall, another reminder of where his heart firmly lies.

Before leaving, he gives us a tour of the art he has on display in his home. Work given to him by other artists and carvers. The work has a definite tribal slant, with some priceless pieces of Maori and Aboriginal art in there. Gareth talks about each one with reverence and a deep-rooted passion.

It's wonderful to see someone so comfortable with his origins and his role in celebrating it.

Keep making those epic mahi and carvings, Mr Barlow. You're an inspiration to us all.