I am a contemporary artist living in Perth, Western Australia.
For decades, I suppressed my creativity. Not intentionally, but between the demands of raising children, running a successful small business, and navigating many house moves, I neglected it. And, I was poisoning my creativity with too much alcohol. Even so, it continued smouldering away beneath my awareness, just waiting for a fresh breeze to set it alight.
In 2017, I made the decision to abstain from alcohol. I wanted to be more present. Sobriety is like fog lifting at dawn; the clarity awoke my creativity. Then, Covid. Despite its unique horrors, the virus had an unintended consequence: hours in my busy schedule suddenly free. Unrestricted time was extra fuel, and I allowed my creativity to burn unhindered. My painting flourished.
I find inspiration for the stories I paint in my everyday encounters. In my mother’s bravery as she battles cancer. In the bright patch of mushrooms sprouting beneath a canopy of leaves. In celebrating a lifelong, far-flung friendship. In the wondrous ingenuity of nature. In the bittersweet reunion of a shattered family. Inspiring stories are everywhere you care to look.
For me, the power of story is its ability to connect us. While we each hold a distinct perspective and live our own inimitable narratives, there are common tenets that unite us. Love and grief, empathy and wonder, beauty and passion.
My art is a combination of layers, textures and an abundance of colour to blend both the unique circumstances and the universal truths of the story I’m telling. I use acrylics on stretched canvas and mixed media. I have always preferred working on larger canvases and using good-sized brushes and a variety of tools to add texture and interest, although I do commissions of all sizes. I enjoy exploring various colour relationships, bold shapes and blending in my work.
My creative expression is unfiltered by formal education. I give freedom to my power of perception and trust my instincts as I work. Recently, my paintings are evolving through experimentation and workshops with various Australian and International artists.
I would love to paint your story. If you have one that you would like to bring to life perhaps a milestone, a special relationship or a commemoration of a significant place – I would be honoured to translate it to canvas.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart. ”
— HELEN KELLER