Artist Statement

I was born in Busselton and spend childhood in Kojonup on a wool growing property, moved to Perth for high school and found a career in the area of mental health where I worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the community emergency services. I took up painting in the mid 1990s as a counterbalance to the challenges experienced in working in the mental health sector. I found drawing and painting to be a healing process which, no matter what the skill level can override the anxieties of life. My love for watercolour began in high school art class. I was quickly intrigued with the medium of watercolour, but have explored almost all of the visual art techniques and media. I am inspired daily, no matter where I find myself by visual beauty in nature, light on any object excites me. I am driven by a deep love of the intricacies of ecosystems and the natural balance of environmental elements. I work mostly in watercolour as my preferred media as it is unpredictable and exciting. Its, speed, translucency and versatility are still beguiling. For personal relaxation I enjoy oil painting as it allows a meditative engagement, a solidity and permanence, and its history and versatility also make it a great love of mine. I am a member of the Watercolour Society Of WA