The Arboretum Ed. 23 of 100

Inspired by the National Arboretum in Canberra that was opened in 2013 to celebrate Canberra's centenary. I carved the block in 2013. The number of the print in this case 23/100 and its date 2021 was when this artwork was created. So it is number 23. This is an unconventional way of printmaking. But it is how I have produced all my hand coloured lino prints, until recently with new blocks only having an edition of 10. Each 'Arboretum' is individually hand coloured with gouache. I love the 'Wide Brown Land' sculpture and the little pink tree guards, that have long gone as the forests have grown.

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I have had the joy of being a professional artist for over 30 years. In all the forms that it takes. From being my sole income, to supplementing my family's income, to supplementing a full-time wage. Being an artist is hard work, but the reward of having someone love your work and place it in their home, there is no greater accolade. Your art becomes part of the fabric of someone's life.
A long career also means my art is now reaching the auction market. They are not huge sums but is nice to see them pop up for sale. (They are also popping up in local op shops!).
My art practice has taken on many forms. Initially there was my prolific stage. The early days of paying the rent and mortgage, before my 2nd child was born. I was sometimes creating 1000 works a year! That is a lot of paint, a lot of paper and some very worn-out brushes.
Moving to Canberra from Sydney saw the second stage of my career. Slowing down, parenting 3 growing children. Art was secondary, but always there. I would paint at night in my studio, I would carve lino blocks in the car, waiting for kids to finish whatever activity they were doing.
Now I am in another stage, post-divorce, reinventing myself, standing on my own two feet. Producing some of my best work. Discovering lithography and more printmaking, less painting. A watershed solo exhibition 2026/27 at the Belconnen Arts Centre in Canberra. A coming of age as an artist. Opening my own gallery in 2026 to showcase regional artists. Grabbing life with both hands and being grateful for every collector that kept me going. Thankyou!!!