I have been resident in Queensland since arriving here in 1986 and became a citizen in 1988. Before leaving London I worked in fashion, textile design and book illustration. I travel as far and as wide as time and finances allow. My interests other than art are music, reading, theatre and film. I work from life and may use photography as an aid.
I attended St. Martin's School Of Art in London (now amalgamated with Central School Of Art and called Central St. Martin's) for 4 years graduating with a B.A. in 1971. The first year was "Foundation Year" after which students re-applied for acceptance into the three year degree course. The training was intense and focused on drawing in all categories - life, structural, architectural, still life etc. with some very famous academics and artists as instructors. Before graduating I was already illustrating books for Oxford University Press and working on fabric print design for Veronica Marsh in London who worked with Sandra Rhodes amongst others. There was a lot going on in London at the time in the arts as well as politically. The music scene was erupting as well so across the arts scene it was an incredibly exciting period.
By 1974 my financial position dictated a serious job was called for! Fortunately I was invited to join a large retail group styling and buying clothing from various international sources. This provided a solid financial income and of course LOTS of travel, France, Italy, Asia and the U.S.A. always with my sketch book to hand! Following my move to Australia in 1986 to pursue a less hectic lifestyle, I met my husband, we got involved in business together and I retired in 2006 to follow my artistic path freely with no financial constraints. To Paint what I want to when I want to.
Up until covid hit the world we travelled as much as possible to include India, China, Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands and of course all over Australia and New Zealand.
My practise centres on the natural world, plants, people, landscapes leading from drawing to painting to effect a focused image that brings me back to my immediate emotional response. I would describe myself as a modern realist painter. The structure of the natural world we live in constantly inspires me with its complete originality, the colour and form. I am creating the work purely because I want to challenge myself and my ability to produce a work that has a highly individual response for the viewer as it did for me. It's my life and I paint it.
