Bio
Born in Melbourne, Australia, I have grown up with a passion for drawing and painting, I remember as a child drawing figures and animals for hour’s, loving every minute. The passion may have come from my grandfather, who died before I was born, but apparently was a talented artist who loved painting in pastel. My inspiration is to capture precious moments in everyday life, that tell a story. I love painting children or adult figures in everyday poses, I find the subtle human form challenging but very rewarding.
After marrying my husband and, having our first child my supportive husband suggested I consider taking an evening art class to give me the opportunity to get out of the house. I began taking lessons once a week with a very lovely tutor in oil painting. Along the way I took up Watercolour painting as well. This gave me confidence to enter art competitions and Art shows, where I started to sell my work.
I was encouraged by family and friends to teach painting in oil and watercolour. At this time, I have won over 40 awards and have been exhibiting, teaching and selling my work professionally for over 35 years. I exhibit my work at Art Nuvo in Buderim and also at Hearts and Minds Noosa.
In January 1993 my husband and now 3 children, in tow, moved from Melbourne to Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland. We have lived here for the past 27 years and love the warmer weather and the lifestyle. The move and the strong light inspired me to work on a variety of subjects, figures, portraits, seascapes, flowers and animals.
After we all settled in, I was given the opportunity to start teaching with the Sunshine Coast Art Group and was there for 11 years teaching 3 classes a week. I love helping students develop their own individual style and guiding each student in reaching their potential in a supportive, nurturing manner.
Two years after moving to the Sunshine Coast, I discovered, tried and fell in love with the medium Pastel. Loving the soft luscious strokes, texture and vibrant colours of Pastel. In 2007 I was awarded Master Pastellist of Australia, status from the Pastel Society of Australia. Since then I have won the prestigious Pastellist of the Year Award and appeared in Australian Artist Magazine and in 2020 appeared on Artsy Shark.
In January 2015 I appeared on the TV show Colour in Your Life, gaining more exposure in Australia and across the Globe. In 2018 I was the Feature Artist at the Inaugural Australian Pastel Expo in September and had my painting of ‘Sunshine – Kings Beach, Caloundra’ featured in the foyer of the Events Centre in Caloundra and also the prestige of the front cover of the Expo Magazine, which is sent all over the world to Pastel Societies. I enjoy the privilege of being an artist, able to devote myself to what I love.