It was here too, whilst listening to the stories of the many overseas students brought to the Muresk College through the Colombo plan, that his ambition to travel grew. In 1963 he embarked on a back packing trip that lasted seven years. He visited 68 countries travelling through Asia, Africa, Europe and the Pacific. On his return to Perth, he studied Fine Arts at Claremont School of Art and Printmaking at St. Brigid’s.

Since 1980, Ian has taught drawing, painting and printmaking with TAFE and the Department of Corrective Services. He has also organised classes and workshops at the Mundaring Community Arts and Crafts Centre, and Special Art at Kalamunda Senior High School and CY O’Connor College of TAFE, Northam.