I have always wanted to be an artist. As a child I was always drawing. They say artists are just kids who refuse to put their crayons away. That was me. I have always had a passion to create, be it a picture, a painting or an outfit.
In my younger years I took the sensible path and ‘got a real job’ in Graphic Design after completing a degree in Design at Newcastle University. Yes, I am officially a B.A.D. (Bachelor of Art in Design).
Never feeling artistically satisfied in my career, I was always creating on the side and formed a partnership establishing the Northshore School of Art in Mosman. I did that for over a decade. Nurturing s students artistic development is always such a delight. I got to do this running the Art School and as the Arts Presenter of EDTV Australia. Now I get to do this via my private art tuition, art mentoring and workshops and art retreats.
I am an Australian artist and work from my Garden Studio in Sydney. The jury is out as the whether my inhouse art critic, Sketch – the cat helps or hinders my art process. He features throughout my blog and instagram posts under ‘Cattitudes’.
I specialise in semi-abstract still life and landscape paintings. Connections to our environment and the objects that fill them, are themes that continue to inspire my creative practice.
Currently I am drawn to locations ‘girt by sea’. Perhaps this comes from living on one of the biggest island continents on the planet, Australia. I call my style of painting ‘Fragmatism®’. This style involves colours and shapes that merge into each other and its driven by colour and light. Compositions form through deconstructed shape and reconstructed colour.
every artwork I create.
Translating the vibrancy of life
to the canvas is my life long
obsession.”
Many of my creations have been selected for many shows and competitions, both nationally and internationally.
Completing art residencies also plays an important part of my art practice. Each residency has provided a unique opportunity for the growth and development of my practice. Exposure to a variety of natural light sources in different hemispheres is vital to my studies of colour and how the human mind experiences and understands colour. Areas famed for their unique light have been a major focus in residency applications and locations.
ART RESIDENCIES INCLUDE:
• UPCOMING > Tweed River Art Gallery – 2024
• UPCOMING > Chateau Orquevaux, South of France – 2023 (The Denis Diderot A-I-R Grant)
• Mornington Peninsula Art Residency at Police Point, Victoria – 2019
• Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venice, Italy – 2014 & 2015
• Art Students League of New York – 2011 & 2013 (Ruth Katzman Scholarship)
• Monsalvat. Australia’s oldest art colony, Melbourne – 2012
It is such a privilege to nurture my love for art and desire for colour. The power to brighten our lives with colour is one I treasure and aspire to share with all those who desire a bright and beautiful life.
Painting at the historic Monsalvat artist colony.
Creating onsite at the Art Students of New York Residency Program.
Studio time at the Police Point Residency in Mornington Victoria.
