I discovered painting by chance, thanks to a friend and a glass (or two) of wine. At the time we were living in Whangarei Heads, which is a beautiful place,and so there were wonderful landscapes to inspire and challenge me. We've lived in so many beautiful parts of New Zealand - Whangarei Heads, Pauatahanui, Coromandel, Kapiti Coast so I've had a richness of choices - rugged hills, white sand beaches, islands, picturesque old native forests, ancient kauri trees, historic houses, and the stunning coastlines, where land birds and sea birds mingle - wonderful subjects to paint.
And now we live in a big city - Melbourne. Its not only a new country, but every day we see a cityscape instead of landscapes. The buildings are very different as are the trees, the way they grow, the animals, even the skies, and most of all the colours are so very different.
As an artist, I’m interested in capturing a particular moment, and exploring the play of light on complex surfaces. I also enjoy playing with reality – creating realist works that are, in fact, at least in part, imaginary. I have been so lucky, in that I have lived in places that provide almost constant inspiration. Most of my landscapes are scenes that have a personal history for me. Now I am exploring new personal histories, and, as I do, beginning to paint scenes that are partly Australian, and partly my imagination.
I am largely self-taught, which has both the disadvantage and the advantage of not knowing what or how I should paint, or what I can and cannot do. I also learn by attending classes with local artists/teachers, watching others at work, studying the work of well-known artists, and simply by thinking about the effects I want to achieve in a painting, and then exploring different ways to create them. So a lot of different styles, and a lot of trial and error, with occasional happy accidents along the way. All good learning, and good fun!
Eighteen months after first picking up a paintbrush, I came second in the Telecom Art Awards, and was a finalist in the Northland Art Awards. Since I was so new to painting, that gave me a lot of confidence and the boost I needed to become a full time artist.
