Naval Officer LEUT Ian Pfeffer may have started out as an engineer but moved on to a new slant in oils when he explored his artistic dimension by painting one of Australia's best known rock stars, Peter Garrett, lead singer of Midnight Oil.

Ian joined the Royal Australian Navy seven years ago as a Training Systems Officer after a background in engineering, construction industry work and small business. As if that wasn't enough, Ian also decided to further develop his artistic nature.

Ian's current role in the RAN is as a Training Systems Course Implementation Officer at Garden Island in Sydney.

His artistic style alternates between impressionist and expressionist and now he's focussing on developing his landscape painting techniques.

"I am looking forward to paying more attention to painting having just completed a Graduate Diploma in Further Education and Training, after three years of study in my own time," said Ian.

Ian's artwork began in 1997 through study at The Melbourne School of Art.

He arrived in Sydney in January 2001 to live at Little Bay with his wife and two sons, Joseph, aged 11 and Daniel, aged 7.

"I'm hoping to get to know other artists in the local area to learn and paint together," he said.

In addition to Ian's painting prowess he also has an impressive list of claims to fame during his career in the Navy.

He scored a number of awards including the Australia Day Medallion in January 2001 for Outstanding Service to the RAN.

The award involved Ian's work on a project determining the acceptability of contractor developed training during the acquisition of ships HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla.

He also received the Peter Mitchell Prize for Part 1 Submarine Trainee of the Year and the Commodore Sir James Ramsay Prize for best academic performance during the New Entry Officer Course.

By Annie Casey, Navy Personnel and Training