artists profile

A bit about me.......

I was born in Melbourne Australia, married a Canadian and have lived on both continents as well as in New Zealand for 14 years. It was while I was in New Zealand that I began to fulfill a lifetime desire to paint.

My creativity has always looked for an outlet, and i love the texture, feel and unpredictability of paint. I thrive on discovering the multitudinous combinations of colours I can create, and using them to express the way I feel.

I have followed my mothers footsteps in being a late bloomer!  She became an exhibiting artist and my father painted, sculptured and tried his hand at many creative pastimes in his later years. I remember the strong smell of turps and my mothers constant wish that "she had more time to paint"! My parents love of the Australian bush and nature, as well as art, instilled in me a yearning to express what I saw and felt around me. i have a particular love for the wide open spaces of the coast and the sea, which has been with me since I was a young girl going to the beach in Australia.

I use colour generously in my work-which is becoming more stylised as I respond to the depth of nature that I feel and experience. My style has been likened to "Group of Seven" which at first meant nothing as I was unfamiliar with their work.  Now however I realise that my desire to " uncomplicate" when I respond  to what I see has produced those kind of paintings.

I am learning more about Canadian art, and have been inspired by Emily Carr and her writings, as well as the paintings of all the Group of Seven and- although I havent had as much time as I would like to do so - am currently discovering the unique countryside of Canada, particularly Ontario and Quebec. 

But I will always be drawn to the sea and the wonderful landscapes of New Zealand and Australia.