I am, for the most part, a self-taught artist. I was
born in 1967 in York, Western Australia and went to school in Papua New
Guinea & Canberra. I have done part of a BA in Women's Studies through Deakin University but
I've had to put that on hold until I can create some more time! I need
a 'magic paintbrush'.
I paint because I have a need to do so and it's an amazing feeling when another person is moved because of something they see in my work.
My paintings are inspired by everyday life;
particularly of women and children. I am motivated by my experiences as a child in PNG, model in Sydney & now
artist and mother in Canberra.
The incredible women I've known, worked with and
admired over the years and my previous work for a multicultural NGO; as
well as assisting on a project in northern Thailand have given me a
very deep well to drink from. Painting their portraits, or alluding to
them in my work is a perpetual project.
Since 2000 I have received commissions from
individuals and companies including GHD Pty Ltd.
In 2008 I participated in a successful group
exhibition, ‘The Colour Red’ at Yarralumla Gallery in Canberra. It was
opened by ABC News Presenter and author, Virginia Haussegger, whose
portrait I have since painted. I had admired her for many years and I
felt particularly moved by her book, Wonder Woman -The myth of 'having it all'. Here is what Virginia thought about the painting:
I LOVE IT!
I
LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
I
LOVE THE STYLE,
THE COLOUR, THE BLUE EYES …
I
LOVE THE POSE…
I
LOVE THE COMPOSITION
I
really think you have caught something. I guess it’s for others to say just what
that is. But I can feel it.
...I think you have done something quite extraordinary.
I entered the portrait into the Archibald Prize in 2009. It wasn't selected but I felt I had achieved so much by doing it. Later, it was hung in the Capital Chemist Art Prize at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre in Canberra.
This year I have entered At Forty-Two. A Self-Portrait.in the Archibald which can be viewed in my New Work page.
You can see some of my latest paintings by visiting the new work page.
