Sutherland Shire artist Craig Handley has been selected to have his work featured in a national tourism campaign with Avis Australia.
Mr Handley, who grew up on the edge of the National Park in Loftus, is the first of three Australian artists to be featured in the 'Art of Discovery' campaign which sees contemporary artists set out on road trips in Avis rental cars across Australia and New Zealand in pursuit of inspiration.
The resulting work then features in an outdoor advertising campaign across Australia and New Zealand with artwork captured from the campaign.
The work will also to be displayed at an exhibition and auction hosted at the end of the year, with all proceeds donated to Avis Budget Group's mental health awareness charity partner R U OK?.
Mr Handley, a self-taught artist, said he took inspiration from his childhood growing up next to the Royal National Park:
"Art was the only thing I had confidence with as a child," he said.
Despite always wanting to be an artist, Mr Handley left school to do a signwriting apprenticeship before going on to a long career in the animation industry.
It was only later in life that he finally chose to pursue his lifelong passion of painting.
"I really enjoyed working on this campaign," he said.
"It was a great opportunity to take some time out from the studio and head out on the road to look for the thing that hits you, the thing that makes you think I can capture that, I can try to make what I'm looking at into a painting.
"I hope to inspire many Australians and tourists to hit the road and explore the beautiful country that we live in."