There is an enormous body of work to choose from, including large landscapes and small gouache paintings, photos of sculptures and mosaics, and still life watercolours.

“The exhibition has a lot of work from my recent visits to China, and from my studies of the local rivers and creeks. There is also some very early work from when I was in primary school,” says the Warrandyte resident.

The painter remembers one primary school teacher who introduced him to art and artist-quality materials at a young age. “I don’t think I would have been an artist without his encouragement.’’

Magilton’s career highlights include winning the Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ Medallion, working for 27 years as an arts and crafts teacher at many schools in Victoria, and being made a fellow of the Victorian Artists’ Society and the Australian Guild of Realist Artists.

“I’m very proud of all these distinctions,” he says. “However, one of the greatest privileges I’ve had is crafting a large replica painting for the burnt-out Anglican Church in Kinglake.”

Australian war artist Ken McFadyen has provided Magilton with inspiration that has stuck with him throughout his career.

“He challenged me,” Magilton says. “He told me to make every piece of work count and to never waste my talent. It has been in the back of my mind ever since.”

Magilton believes there is a great energy in the contemporary Australian art scene, but encourages up-and-coming artists to learn and respect traditional skills.

“To many people, my work is old fashioned,” he admits. “But traditional realist skills are common to all art forms and artists will go much further if they know and respect these techniques. Nevertheless, I believe there is room for all forms of art in Australia.”

It might seem as though Magilton has done it all, but he continues to be surprised by his work and the world around him. After walking past the Mullum Mullum Creek thousands of times, he reveals he now sees it in a very different light.