But since he first picked up a paintbrush in 2008, he's started studying at Julian Ashton Art School and is working as a bartender.

Tam Cao now uses his experience and struggle with gambling as an inspiration for his artworks.

These include Frank at the Pokies and Pregnant Whilst Drinking Whilst Smoking Whilst Gambling.

"I went a bit wayward for a year-and-a-half with gambling," he said.

"Life's a gamble, but gambling isn't a life."

After he had stopped gambling, he saw a girl drinking and smoking in front of the pokies.

He said he felt sorry for her and that had motivated his painting.

"This is an issue that society neglects to see and we're not really conscious of it," Cao said.

He said that he wants his art to reflect reality.

"I wanted to create something that relates to the political and social issues today," he said.

"I work as a bartender and I'm faced with the reality of seeing all kinds of people spending their money on the poker machines.

"My two art pieces were all reassembled and I had a friend who was a pregnant model for my charcoal artwork, and a blind man called Frank sat with his dog Fitzroy to model for my oil painting.

"These models don't have a gambling problem but I used them to represent some of the people I watched while I worked at the bar.

"But it's not my opinion I want to express. I just want my art to mirror society and make people see, interpret and come up with their own judgment."

View other artwork: tamtastic.blogspot.com.