Hello and welcome.
I grew up in Warlingham Surrey situated on the North downs of England . My childhood although challenging was tempered by the fun and freedom of play amongst the verdant hills, leafy lanes and woodlands hugging the village.
I studied Art at highschool earning an O level thanks to the encouragement of a wild teacher, Miss Kay!
Many years later, although always making, arranging and dabbling in painting and drawing classes, I ceased working in Community Services and studied a Diploma of Fine Arts 2008-2010 at Riverina TAFE were I reside in Albury.
I have always been curious and entranced by the beauty in the natural and urban landscapes and in everyday objects. Colour, shape, line, the elements, the extremes, the heat, the cool the bleak and the beautiful, it's all totally captivating . Making art allows me to connect to my authentic self, to dig in and unearth memories of early loss and grief that can hobble and muddy the truth. The process of making a piece clears the path and leads me to be present and appreciative of the now, and all of the beauty.
I work in acrylic and other mixed media, enjoy mark making, sgrafitto mostly on a larger scale, however when it's very hot in my Garage ( studio) smaller works come together within my home, on a large mobile table.
My work is intuitive, I generally take photographs when walking in nature, gathering images and ideas. I am inspired by everything that is the natural world and my inner landscape responds to this.
Starting off for me usually involves big loose strokes and marks, allowing myself to relax, to not try. Colour, shapes, lines, one thing informs the next. I am painting often without knowing what will emerge.
It is my hope that my work evokes uplifting feelings and perhaps happy memories in the viewer. As they do for me.
All of my large acrylic work is painted on new stretched cotton canvas, varnished with Archival Liquitex satin and gloss varnish and D hooks and wire are attached. I sign some work on the front only if it doesn't interfere aesthetically.
Much Love.