NON COMPULSORY READING 

About AL or ' it's a long way to the top. . . . . . '

  This Segment contains AL's Work History and some remarkable facts along the way 
   Not compulsory reading but may be of interest to some  


Born in  Kirberg / W.-Germany (≈ 60km N/W of Frankfurt) 2nd son to 3rd generation Stonemason/Sculptor K.H Mueller)

Fast Forward to:

  • '82-'85: Stonemason/Sculptors App'ship, Schaefer Monuments, Wiesbaden/Germany
  • '85, Aug-Dec : First visit to Australia, Heritage Stonework with Brother Harry, Sydney

Back in the good old days when strangers would greet you in the streets and 'FREE' live gigs were 'ON' 4 nights a week in 'EVERY' pub !

  • '86/'87: Trained as Paramedic during National Service, Red Cross, Wiesbaden/Germany

Since i had to serve for my birth country one way or another, i figured it made more sense learning how to save lifes rather than kill !                                                          If you should suffer a heart attack or get hit by a bus nearby, feel free to pop in for Al's instant attention ! (on Mondays please phone 000)

  • Nov.'87: Permanent Migration to Australia;  Cronulla / Sydney

I bought a 36' (11m) School Bus, fitted a bedroom at the back & a large entertainment area at the front, parked & partied anywhere and inbetween
Bundeena - Botany Bay - Bondi - Byron Bay & Brisbane. To get some sun inside, i cut a hole in the roof and fitted a Hi-Ace Roof that would slide off.
My dog Gypsy was born the day i purchased the bus and we spent an amazing 5 years in our mobile home named 'TIPANIC'. (08/'88-07/'93)

  • '88: Youth Worker, NSW Youth & Community Service, Disabled Re-Integration Scheme
  • '89-'92: Foreman at H. Johnson & Co, Cemetary Masons, Botany Bay Cemetary, Sydney
  • '93: 6 spiritual months in Byron Bay, no work here, surprise surprise sold bus(07/'93)
  • '93: Established 'Cold Chisel Carvings', Sandstone, Marble & Granite in Byron Bay
  • '93/'95: Hired by J. Petrie, N'gate/Brisbane for the 'Law Court Carving' under J. Elliott

Jan.'95: This amazing project would have become the largest 'Bas Relief' Sandstone Carving in the southern Hemisphere. 83m²/400mm depth.Due to poor project management, over-administration and red tape, this project eventually had to be aborted and a dream shattered. Photos of this project are shown on the bottom of this page. As i discovered in October 2007 by accident, this piece of art was eventually erected at 33 Charlotte Street, Brisbane. Click on the link then scroll down to page 3: www.projectservices.qld.gov.au/services/files/33CharlotteStallpages.pdf Sadly  there is no mention about Keith's and my involvement as sculptors, my sole permanent reminder now is a bad back. Thanks John !

  • Apr.'95: A spinal injury puts an end to my active career as a Stonemason/Sculptor
  • July '95- Aug.'96: Established 'ARTWORX GALLERY' at 31 Latrobe Tce (now ENDO's)
  • Sept.'96: Established 'Al's Art FX' Signwriting, downstairs at 31 Latrobe Tce.
  • July '97: Relocated to 1 Latrobe Terrace, Now 'Al's Garage'
  • 2000: Expanding product range to General Printing, initial focus on Business Cards
  • Dec.2000: My loyal dog 'Gypsy' dies at the age of 12½yrs. Three months earlier, a stray cat walked through the door and made friends with Gypsy.                                                                                                                              'DICKER' (german for 'Fatty') is a big black cat just like the one above our HOME tab and usually lounges around the place somewhere.
  • 2002: Expanding product range to Customised Fabric Painting & Printing (an old hobby of mine)
  • Nov. '04: Opening of 'AL's GARAGE', Shop/Workshop/ArtStudio/AfterHoursPrivateBar, 1 Latrobe Tce
  • Apr.'08: Scott Robertson joins the AAFX team. 

FUTURE AMBITION: One day buy another Full size Bus and take our fabric painting on the road, to markets and festivals.This won't happen until we have managed to do so without interrupting our existing business at 1 Latrobe Terrace.

...yes, i am 'STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS'...and proud of it !

 

1.: Emergency Paramedic 1986/87                                                            2.: Fitting a cut-off HiAce roof,becoming a sliding roof for my motor home in 1990

3.: Scottish Sculptor Keith McKeown and me carving the 'Law Court Carving' 1994  4.: Me holding half scale foam model in foreground, full size sandstone in background.

(Only about 30% of the total 83m² finished size was carved to about 70% completion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 & 6.: Dennis Wilson & Pfuri Baldenweg. Special Gig at Al's Garage, NYE 2006/07

  Get Dennis Wilson's CD 'Ain't it strange'  It's a real treat !!! 

Go to denniswilson.com.au  to order your copy or contact AL.
My promise, it'll be the best buy you've made in some time. An absolut 'MUST HAVE ALBUM' in anyones Blues Collection.
I have played it at least twice a day in my shop since 2004. Just can't get enough of Dennis' Guitar Craft.
Keep pullin' those strings mate...i love it !


email us:  al.aafx@gmail.com