He headed for the hills and worked as a shepherd on remote country farms for years.
"I loved it. I was alone with my dogs and my horse. It was the ideal life for me. I use to look at the sky every night. Beautiful all those colours you know.''
When he was told that working in the mines in Western Australia was very lucrative, Adrian saved his fare and took off.
"I went to Pilbara on a fly in-fly out work scheme. Jeez it was different living there I can tell you.''
The Pilbara is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples, ancient landscapes, the red earth and its vast mineral deposits, particularly iron ore.
The nearest town and the second largest in the WA region is Port Hedland.
Adrian said, in the mining camp, everyone worked hard and played hard.
"After a while I got bit sick of drinking too much at the wet canteen every night. It got boring so I thought it was time to get a hobby.''
Without really thinking too much about exactly what, on a leave trip to Port Hedland (three hours away), he found himself buying canvases, pencils, acrylic paints and all that "art stuff''
Even today he doesn't why.
"Dunno I've never learned anything about drawing, painting and that stuff.''
After a couple of shaky starts Adrian quickly became absorbed in his new hobby.
"Jeez I'd paint away for hours. I'd stare at the landscape and sky for ages. I really like to paint the natural world, landscapes,seascapes, lonely sort of places.
During his time in the Pilbara he painted aboriginal people, desert landscapes and the brilliant sunsets.
"I loved the skies. I've always loved the sky.''
He gave away his paintings to his mates and was surprised how much they loved them.
"They really liked them so I didn't feel as though I was offloading on them too much.''
Two years ago Bruce moved to Patea because he loved the area and knew a few people in south Taranaki.
The Patea Gallery opened soon after and it gave Adrian the inspiration to continue with his painting in earnest, he said.
"It had been a dream of mine for a while to be a known artist. I have met lovely people here at the gallery who give me advice on my work and really encourage me.''
He had dabbled in drawing a bit as a kid, he said.
"I was told I was quite good. But once I got into guns, horses and wild places that was it.''
His paintings sell very quickly at the small gallery.
One sold within minutes of him putting it on the wall, he said.
Adrian believes his life he has come full circle.
"I see things with a child's eye, the awe, the majesty, mysteriousness and beauty of the natural world around us moves me deeply.''
"A poet can convey a picture or mood in our mind with words," he said.
"A visual artist strives for the same using tools, paints and brushes. By using these tools I try to achieve my own self expression through continual learning and practice.''
Adrian's studio is his carport at home and his subjects are fuelled by the South Taranaki seas and landscapes.
A year ago he painted a haunting piece titled Remembrance, for the local RSA, depicting a World War I soldier looking out to sea.
"They (The RSA) had a silent auction and it made $400. It stays there of course but I thought the money for the RSA was great.''
Adrian is hoping his painting success will soon earn him a full time living.
"I'm working pretty hard towards that.''
His portfolio also contains delicate pictures of native birds.
"I love the little fantails - they're my favourite.''
