My artist’s journey began during my childhood in Melbourne. My mother was my greatest influence. I remember huddling under her easel as she painted, the smell of oil paint and linseed oil filling my nostrils. And in later years, mum at her pottery wheel, pregnant with my sister, her overalls splattered with clay. We often drew or coloured in and made papier-mache puppets together.
I studied art at high school and later as a mature aged student at Chisholm. It combined beautifully with my love of writing and storytelling. Whilst raising my two girls, I started dabbling with pastels and received my first commission for an animal portrait.
In 2015, I travelled to Scotland, the birthplace of my Grandfather, and participated in an art retreat.
It was there, whilst overlooking a small fishing village, that I experienced a profound connection to my art. I spent the following year drawing and painting vintage children. Though they appeared melancholy, they were a source of immense joy to create.
My work is often colourful and leans more towards an illustrative style than realism. Animals, nature and people are my main subjects.
I love to experiment with various mediums and currently use whatever is at hand in my cluttered studio. I tend to follow where inspiration takes me, to bring out what is within.
Connecting with people through my art has been a constant joy in my life.
Sometimes no words are needed.