Having no visual memory is quite a challenge for an artist!!! I start each piece knowing only the medium/technique I will use, can not pre visualise anything, and experience each work as it develops before my eyes. I began my artistic journey by exploring impressions of the moods, textures, movement and patterns nature provides us. Although I studied art formally, aeons ago whilst at Uni, and savoured every second of it, it wasn't until after retiring that I had the luxury of time to explore my artistic outpourings.
Using a wide variety of media, I have explored shape, form, texture, colour, flow and environment. Exploring a variety of traditional art mediums, reused and found objects, and natural items, I have incorporated painting, textiles, collage, geometrics, 3D constructions, abstracts and for a while, experimented with unusual surfaces as my "canvas" . However, natural works and unusual canvases are mostly unsuitable for interstate travel ( but are available locally in SA from my home gallery) and so the pieces I have for sale on Bluethumb were until October 2020, limited to some of the works from my earlier abstracts and collages.
Over the past 6 years my major works have been exhibited and I have been fortunate enough to win four People's Choice Awards in exhibitions and first prize in the 8th biennial Gawler Art Award Hanging Textiles division.
I have also held 4 successful annual solo art exhibitions at the Gawler Community Gallery during SALA. There was not one in 2021, as Gawler Community Gallery was in limbo until new premises were completed in early 2022.
In December 2019 I discovered techniques which allow me to work with oil pastels to produce realistic animal pictures - some in fine line detail, and others in solid colour. I enjoy using pets , birds and farm animals as my main subjects. I have also begun to paint pop art animals in acrylics and have extended this genre to oil pastels.
2020 -despite COVID-was particularly rewarding. During SALA I was fortunate enough to be one of only four artists selected by the City Of Salisbury to hold exhibitions in their venues . I exhibited 45 pieces from my natural items and textiles collection, under the title "Nature's Collage". A very successful exhibition, with high traffic through the Mawson Centre, I received excellent feedback and some sales.
Also during SALA I held my 4th annual solo exhibition at Gawler Community Gallery. It comprised 50+ new works using my new found skills in oil pastels and acrylic paints , including some pop art subjects. The exhibition featured works of all types of animals , especially focusing on dogs, cats, pocket pets, farm animals and birds.
In September'20, I exhibited some of the most popular pieces from the oil pastels in my "Here's Looking At You" exhibition, along with eight new pieces, at the Para Hills Hub, in an exhibition entitled "Pets".
Throughout November a second exhibition of the entire 50+ works from "Here's Looking At You" ( plus some 18 new works ) was exhibited during 'Art On The Plains , in the Gawler Business Innovations Hub, with two pieces sold.
Then, in December I was fortunate enough to receive a People's Choice prize (equal third) for my piece of a Maine Coone Cat (in my oil pastels style), at the Gawler Art Society exhibition.
In 2020 I also produced works of animal subjects for a local veterinary surgery.
In the first six months of 2021 I had a l break from producing artwork, Throughout April 2021 I again featured my "Nature's Collage" exhibition (44 pieces), this time in the Institute Hall, Civic Centre, Gawler. This was the only solo exhibition undertaken , but I entered pieces in several other exhibitions. One piece titled "Not Peek A Boo", was a finalist in the 2021 Barossa Valley Vintage Festival Arts Prize - themed "Emergence" and received a special mention from the hanging team. This piece was purchased. (See SOLD items in my profile). Then at Easter time the Gawler Art Society held its annual exhibition at the Tanunda Hub, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the artists who sold artworks at this event (also shown in my SOLD items -" Emu Family Triptych"). I was also a finalist in the Watershed Arts Prize in June, with a piece entitled "Egret Family".
For SALA 2021 I had 4 pieces exhibited in Two Wells Public Library (Plains Council "History, Then and Now" Exhibition) and was accepted as one of the artists to contribute to "SALA in Foodland Stores" - with three of my dog portraits being exhibited in Munno Para Foodland.
I was also asked to be a judge at the Gawler Horticultural Show, for the Arts entries, which I accepted with pleasure.
Towards the end of 2021 I diversified a little, embracing "cutie pie" animal and teddy bear subjects as well as animal portraits.
My first 2022 exhibition ran throughout April and May and was again hosted by the Gawler Civic Centre. The exhibition consisted of 54 pieces and was entitled "Down On The Farm" (animals and environments). No sales, but excellent feedback and lots of viewer favourites!! As a result of this exhibition I was asked to stage a second exhibition. This exhibition - in the high traffic Metro Cafe, opposite the library in the Gawler Civic Centre, ran for 2 months -(July and August). Titled "With Love" it featured 36 pieces from my "Scenes From Teddy's Life" series, and some of my" fur babies" pieces. A popular exhibition with great feedback!!
I also had 4 diverse artworks on display as part of SALA, in the Two Wells Community Library exhibition entitled "People Of The Plains".
I had an extended holiday from September 22 until the end of January 23 during which I produced no artworks, and did not post any on Bluethumb. I used this time to tour and discover country art galleries, both in SA and interstate and was fortunate enough to secure a six week exhibition at the Roxby Downs Art Gallery, running (from May 11th until June 21st featuring 110 pieces from my updated "Here's Looking At You" collection, and also,some of my ceramic jewellery pieces.A very successful exhibition, I sold 15 pieces of jewellery and two artworks.
I also entered the 2023 Watershed Art Prize (Salisbury Council Hub Gallery) and the Barossa Regional Gallery's annual Vintage Art Prize (Tanunda Regional Art Gallery), and received acceptances in both exhibitions,
and participated in SALA as part of the Plains Council SALA exhibition.
I was also lucky enough to secure a return venue exhibition acceptance at Roxby Link Gallery for an 8 week block this year 2024.(May 3rd to June 30th), entitled "A Myriad Of Media". 175 pieces will be featured and this will be an interactive exhibition, with a different interaction theme weekly. Those visiting, can participate in scavenger hunts to try to locate varying items within the collection. Local people will have the opportunity to be involved in all 8 themes if they wish to, and all ages can participate. The staff are already looking forward to this event!!
Also booked for 2024 are two other exhibitions. The first will again be in the Cafe area of Gawler Civic Centre from May 27th until July 21st. Entitled "Big and Bold" it will feature a variety of my largest pieces in several different styles and media.
Throughout September 2024 I have been lucky enough to be accepted for a solo exhibition at the Copper Coast Regional Art Gallery in Moonta, where I will show a limited version (approximately 80 pieces) of my "Here's Looking At You Exhibition.
I am slowly adding to my existing portfolio, along with producing smaller works of Bilbies , Bettongs and Quokkas for sale in the Roxby Downs Information Centre to visitors, as part of their community involvement in conservation and study of these endangered animals. The pieces I left at the Centre in June last year have all been sold, and a replenishment is needed!!
When new pieces of various works become available, I will begin to add to my Bluethumb offerings again this year also.
From 2016 -2021 I was a member of the Gawler Art Society ( have been Society Treasurer) and also the Gawler Community Gallery (Committee Member 2018) . COVID and subsequent events stopped my further participation, however I will again be active from mid 2024.
