My passion is for the natural world, in particular the miniscule and overlooked. I paint small mixed media pictures using gouache, collage and inks, linocut prints and a variety of cards. I also make shaprons, a version of an apron, based on bird and insect shapes, machine embroidered carry bags, and cloth bags with hand-drawn designs, often repurposing fabrics. I love colour, line and shape and the interconnection between art, music and growth.
“Grace by the Lake” is a collaboration between Jenny Laing and myself, our first project being the Ballarat Artisans Festival – our focus was on the waterbirds of Lake Wendouree. Jenny makes a unique form of bunting incorporating prints, creates bags of vintage fabrics, as well as beautiful hand-sewn items.
I studied Advanced Certificate of Art and Design at Frankston TAFE and Diploma of Art (Visual Arts) at Outer Eastern TAFE, the former being the only facility teaching papermaking at the time. This combined well with printmaking and illustration. Burrinja Gallery, Upwey, Brighton Art Show and Contemporary Artists Society of Victoria have been some of my involvements.
In keeping with the necessity to preserve the diversity of our planet, I will endeavour to depict nature in a way that will keep this awareness in our minds.