I am a painter and textile artist who lives and works in the beautiful Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia- surrounded by National Park. This precious wilderness is the traditional land of the Gandangarra and Dharug peoples. The landscape is imbued with the spirits of the Traditional owners. In my work I try to depict the emotional and spiritual connection that I also feel with this ancient land.
Basically I'm a self taught Artist. I have attended many workshops and classes for various artforms and techniques over my adult life. I have exhibited my textile work with various groups over the years eg "Palmhouse" exhibition at Sydney Botanical Gardens. Attending two online painting courses in 2014 led to more focus on my painting, which is my current obsession. I paint in my sunroom studio (aka the cubby) most days now. I have had 4 solo exhibitions locally since 2018. I plan another in December 2023- in my hometown.
My work is a reaction/reflection for how being out in the forest wakes up my senses. I'm trying to paint that childlike curiosity that I feel when I'm out there discovering new plants and birds and other creatures. The joy for me is immense. I enjoy depicting my version of native botanicals and birds, reptiles and insects. I walk in the Blue Mountains bushland often and take thousands of photographs which I use as a reference for drawings and ipad drawings -to use to design the final painting. I'm yet to venture into much outdoor painting after losing paintbrushes over the waterfall and being eaten by several leeches at once ! I mostly paint in acrylics/ inks/ mixed media. Oil painting is a recent adventure-always learning and pushing myself forwards. Enjoying the challenge of finding ways to depict joy.
My educational background is in Nursing. My most recent role was teaching CPR. But in mid 2021 I left to focus more on my art.