Painting is my happy place. From early school years I spent more time infusing assignments with colours and imagination than content focus. Having taken art as an elective at teachers’ college in the early 80s it was the recognition by my art teacher of a ‘latent talent waiting to be released’ and his encouragement that I pursue art in the future, that has brought me to this point. And release it now I am!
Decades later, I find joy in the sense of ‘flow’, both metaphorically, as I engage in the creative process, and physically in the rhythmic movements of my brushstrokes.
My pocket visual diary accompanies me at all times as I find joy in the day-to-day observations of rainbow textured trees of Yamba to the majestic cumulonimbus clouds of northern Australia and the kaleidoscope of colours adorning tropical reefs. Travel has become a constant source of inspiration for my eclectic style of painting, from the blue city of Chefchaouen, Morocco to the serene tea houses of the Himalayan tracks of Nepal and the fairy chimney rock formations of Cappadocia, Türkiye. I use only high quality pigments and varnishes which enhance colours and longevity, and have enjoyed experimenting with ochre minerals..
The joy I get from painting is magnified when teaching techniques to both children and adults and experiencing their joy when they accomplish what they thought they never could.