Born from Country. Made to live with you.
Dots of Country was created as a way for Will's artwork to move beyond the canvas and become part of everyday life.
Grounded in Country, culture, family and connection, the brand brings together original art and thoughtful design, creating pieces that carry story into the spaces where life happens.
HOW IT BEGAN
Dots of Country started with a dream.
Two Torres Strait pigeons came to me in that dream and showed me what I was capable of. They gave me the confidence to create, to paint and to tell my stories through art... but these two birds weren’t new to me.
Throughout my life, Torres Strait pigeons have appeared at times when I’ve needed guidance, particularly when I’ve had big decisions to make. Being away from my family for much of my life meant I didn’t always have that physical guidance around me, so those moments became something I held onto.
I believe those two birds are my Nana and Pa.
They always told us that when they passed, they would come back as birds. So when those two pigeons came to me in my dream, I felt like they were reminding me that they were still there, guiding me, and showing me what I could become.
That dream is why I started painting.
It’s also why the Torres Strait pigeon was part of the very first Dots of Country logo, and why you’ll continue to see the pigeon throughout my artwork.
It isn’t just a bird or a design.
For me, it represents family, guidance and connection, even when the people we love are no longer physically beside us.
Every time I paint, a piece of Nana and Pa continues the journey with me.
GIVING BACK
For Will, creating art has always been about more than the finished piece. It's also an opportunity to connect, contribute and give back to community.
In 2025, two of Will's original pieces - a painted crocodile skull and an original crocodile hide dot painting - helped raise $4,700 for Cancer Council as part of RAAF Base Tindal's annual charity rugby league match between 17 Squadron and 75 Squadron.
Seeing his artwork contribute to something bigger reinforced a purpose that continues to shape Dots of Country: to create with meaning, share story and use art as a way to give back wherever possible.
WHAT'S NEXT
Dots of Country has grown from one painting created for family into something we could never have imagined.
Looking ahead, the vision is simple: to keep creating, keep telling stories and keep finding meaningful ways for Will's artwork to connect with people.
We want Dots of Country to continue evolving while staying grounded in the things that matter most to us - Country, culture, family, connection and community.
Most importantly, we hope to keep creating art with purpose, giving back and building something our family can be proud of for years to come.
"Artwork created not just to be seen, but to be experienced."
- Will Lauenstein