My Story
I think I’ve always been creative in my life but not in the traditional way!
As a hairdresser for over 25 years, I sculpted hair with my scissors and razor, playing with colours and shapes. When I retired from hairdressing, I really missed that create outlet. So, my search began…….. I knitted, crocheted, sewed, cooked and finally……… I started art classes at the Willoughby Art Centre and I’ve never looked back.
Living in a lovely unit in Sydney’s upper north shore, the carpet of our spare bedroom became covered in paint, charcoal and pastel dust and was bursting with paper and art materials. With the arrival, of Covid the upside was discovering that we could both work from home and that didn’t have to be Sydney. So, again our search began….. this time to find a new home. We quickly shortlisted the Hunter Valley and found our home 2 minutes outside of the village of Morpeth. I now have a large studio with a view of the garden and vege patch. Of course being bird lovers its been nicknamed The Nest!
Moving into The Nest has been a dream come true and I’m so grateful. The Creative Communities of Maitland and Newcastle have been very welcoming and I’m really looking forward to what the future brings.
Inspiration
My inspiration comes from the natural world and comes in many ways; sometimes its a photo, music, a visit to a place that will move around in my head until an idea of how I want to explore presents itself. Of particular interest are birds, in particular Australian birdlife.
Mixed Media allows my ideas to take up residence on paper which is my preferred surface. Although I start with a general idea of how I think things will play out on the surface quite often the painting/drawing will start to tell me what direction it wants to go in...its like a conversation. The process becomes more organic and sometimes I end up with something very different than my original idea but the seed is still there.
Process & Materials
Although I consider myself a multi-media artist, Drawing is at the heart of my practice. Whatever medium I am working with drawing is where it all begins. As one of my wonderful teachers (Judith White) said “It all begins with drawing!” When my charcoal line travels across the paper, my eye will tell me whether its happy or not – Do I need to wipe it out and leave its shadow to show me the way? That’s the beauty and the exciting thing for me!
Mixed Media allows my ideas to take up residence on paper - my preferred surface, although I have recently started drawing on canvas. I start with a general idea of how I think things will play out on the surface; quite often the work will start to tell me what direction to take...It’s a conversation. The process is organic, sometimes I end up with something very different than my original idea but the seed is still there. Mono Printing and collage are leaping off points; I love texture particularly Tissue or Rice paper. Wolf pencils that blend in water, charcoal, Giant Oil Pastels that are as creamy as a lipstick and acrylic paint washes are also favourites.
I started to explore print making at an art workshop in 2022 when my home studio was packed up in boxes whilst we were in the process of renovating. selling our Sydney unit and then relocating to the beautiful Hunter Valley, NSW; and it is fast becoming a passion – in particular collagraphs.
Drawing with thread and Paper/Cardboard assemblages are other ways I explore my subject.
Art Prizes
Hunter Valley Emerging Art Prize 2023 – Finalist
Ewart Art Prize – Finalist (2015,2016,2019,2020)
IFMAitland Art Fest - Overall Winner 2023
Exhibitions
I currently have work held in private collections.
Solo Exhibitions
Aliferous - 2017 Ewart Art Gallery
Group Exhibitions:
Workshop Arts Centre
2013, 2014
2015 - Take the Ducks of the Wall
2016 – Visual Spaces Hidden Places
2019 – Saturday Sessions
The Ewart Art Prize Finalists Exhibition – 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020
White Rhino Artspace
Spread your Wings – 2019
It’s A Wrap – 2019
International Women’s Day Exhibition – Manly - 2020
Glenaeon Art Show – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Lindfield Art Show – 2018, 2019
St Thomas Art Show – 2018,2019
Print Run ASW Gallery - Newcastle, 2024
Incandescent Gallery NWC - Katoomba, 2024