My Journey
Born in Sydney and now living in Gympie after 30 years on the Gold Coast, I am a representational artist with 29 years continuous teaching experience throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Art is such an important part of my life. The need to create is a strong force that is both stimulating and satisfying. I also enjoy the challenge of learning new skills and it is especially beneficial being able to pass on what I’ve learnt to students in the many art classes and workshops that I tutor.
Painting florals in watercolour is my particular passion. I strive to create uplifting paintings of truth and beauty, pieces that are a pleasure to live with and that inspire the viewer. Sunlight dancing on transparent petals, the nuances of colour in shadows and reflective lights; these are subjects that motivate me to record nature in some of its finest moments. Coloured pencils are another medium I have explored since the beginning of my art career, with recognition gained through articles written for leading art magazines.
Quickly produced work is not my style. Focusing on details of the natural world is a contemplative experience and I enjoy the process as much as the outcome. By being immersed in the study of God's creation, I aim to achieve a sense of quiet and stillness in my work.
Painting florals in watercolour is my particular passion. I strive to create uplifting paintings of truth and beauty, pieces that are a pleasure to live with and that inspire the viewer. Sunlight dancing on transparent petals, the nuances of colour in shadows and reflective lights; these are subjects that motivate me to record nature in some of its finest moments. Coloured pencils are another medium I have explored since the beginning of my art career, with recognition gained through articles written for leading art magazines.
Quickly produced work is not my style. Focusing on details of the natural world is a contemplative experience and I enjoy the process as much as the outcome. By being immersed in the study of God's creation, I aim to achieve a sense of quiet and stillness in my work.
Professional Development
2017 2 workshops, Mixed Media with Tricia Reust
2017 Workshop, Typism Conference, Brush Script Lettering with B Enright & Carla Hackett
2016 Workshop, Mt Tamborine, Palette Knife Painting in Oils with Brian Cook
2016 Workshop, RQAS Brisbane, Portraiture in Oils with Frank Giacco
2013 Watercolour workshop with Charles Sluga
2013 Weekend workshop, Watercolours with John Lovett
2008 5 day workshop, Brisbane Artists Academe, Alla Prima portraits with Clayton J. Beck
2006 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Collage with Elizabeth Gower
2005 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Mixed Media with Gary Miles
2004 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with Paul Lennon
2004 1 day workshop, Brisbane Institute of Art, Flowers in Oils with Fu Hong
2004 3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills
2003 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with Paul Lennon
2003 3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills
2003 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Animals in Acrylics with Trevor Weekes
2002 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Portraits in Oils with Keith Dewell
2001 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Pastels with Tim Miller
2000 1 week workshop, Watercolour with Alvaro Castagnet
1995-2000 Weekly art classes, Tutor Dale Crabtree, , & 3 mths life-drawing lessons
2017 Workshop, Typism Conference, Brush Script Lettering with B Enright & Carla Hackett
2016 Workshop, Mt Tamborine, Palette Knife Painting in Oils with Brian Cook
2016 Workshop, RQAS Brisbane, Portraiture in Oils with Frank Giacco
2013 Watercolour workshop with Charles Sluga
2013 Weekend workshop, Watercolours with John Lovett
2008 5 day workshop, Brisbane Artists Academe, Alla Prima portraits with Clayton J. Beck
2006 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Collage with Elizabeth Gower
2005 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Mixed Media with Gary Miles
2004 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with Paul Lennon
2004 1 day workshop, Brisbane Institute of Art, Flowers in Oils with Fu Hong
2004 3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills
2003 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with Paul Lennon
2003 3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills
2003 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Animals in Acrylics with Trevor Weekes
2002 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Portraits in Oils with Keith Dewell
2001 2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Pastels with Tim Miller
2000 1 week workshop, Watercolour with Alvaro Castagnet
1995-2000 Weekly art classes, Tutor Dale Crabtree, , & 3 mths life-drawing lessons
Gallery Representation
Currently:
Art on Yabba, Imbil
Talented Friends, Caloundra
Online galleries: Bluethumb, Art Lovers Australia, Redbubble, Fine Art America
Art on Yabba, Imbil
Talented Friends, Caloundra
Online galleries: Bluethumb, Art Lovers Australia, Redbubble, Fine Art America
Exhibitions
Individual Exhibitions - selection
Art’s Café, Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD 2006
'Art is the Flower' RQAS, Broadbeach 2010
'Art is the Flower' RQAS, Broadbeach 2010
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023-present Art on Yabba gallery, Imbil
2022, 2023 Fabriano in Aquarello festival, Italy
2021-2023 Australian Watercolour Muster finalists, Cairns
2021 Du Reitz Art Awards finalists, Gympie Regional Gallery
2021 Chevron Island Art Gallery, Gold Coast
2007-2020 Royal QLD Art Society, Gold Coast
2012 -present Myart Gallery, Toowoomba
2020-2022 8x8 To Educate, Gold Coast
2013-2014 The Art Gallery, Mt Tamborine
2009-2013 St Hilda's Art Show, Gold Coast
2008 30 Icons Portrait Competition, Gold Coast
2006 Stanthorpe Regional Gallery
2005-2007 Moulton Galleries, Robina & Southport
2005-2013 King’s Christian Arts Festival, Gold Coast
2004-2021 D’Arcy Doyle Art Awards, Gold Coast
2003-2013 Border Art Prize, Gold Coast City Art Gallery
2002-2005 Leukemia Foundation Art Show, Helensvale
Plus various local and regional exhibitions and competitions.
2022, 2023 Fabriano in Aquarello festival, Italy
2021-2023 Australian Watercolour Muster finalists, Cairns
2021 Du Reitz Art Awards finalists, Gympie Regional Gallery
2021 Chevron Island Art Gallery, Gold Coast
2007-2020 Royal QLD Art Society, Gold Coast
2012 -present Myart Gallery, Toowoomba
2020-2022 8x8 To Educate, Gold Coast
2013-2014 The Art Gallery, Mt Tamborine
2009-2013 St Hilda's Art Show, Gold Coast
2008 30 Icons Portrait Competition, Gold Coast
2006 Stanthorpe Regional Gallery
2005-2007 Moulton Galleries, Robina & Southport
2005-2013 King’s Christian Arts Festival, Gold Coast
2004-2021 D’Arcy Doyle Art Awards, Gold Coast
2003-2013 Border Art Prize, Gold Coast City Art Gallery
2002-2005 Leukemia Foundation Art Show, Helensvale
Plus various local and regional exhibitions and competitions.
Awards
2023 Finalist - Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy
2023 Finalist - Australian Watercolour Muster
2022 Finalist - Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy
2022 Finalist - Australian Watercolour Muster
2022 Multiple awards – Bell Art Show
2021 Finalist - Australian Watercolour Muster
2021 Finalist - Du Reitz Art Awards
2019 Finalist - Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy
2017 First Prize – Still-life, D’arcy Doyle Art Awards
2016 First Prize – Botanical theme, RQAS
2014 First Prize – Watercolours, Ocean Shores Art Competition
2013 Third Prize – Still-life, RQAS Awards
2012 First Prize – Still –life, Ipswich Art Awards
2011 First Prize - ACPN coloured pencil competition
2009 Second Prize – Watercolour, RQAS Awards
2009 First Prize – Watercolour, Gold Coast Show
2008 Finalist – 30 Icons competition, Pacific Fair
2007 Second Prize – Challenge no. 28 Australian Artist Magazine, June
2006 First Prize – Watercolour, Elanora Art Show
2006 First prize - Watercolour, Springfest Art & Craft Festival
2006 Set Design Award – Dramafest
2005 First Prize – Pastels, Elanora Art Show
2004 First Prize - Drawing, Elanora Uniting Church Art Show
2004 First Prize – Abstracts, D’Arcy Doyle Art Awards
2004 First Prize - Watercolours, Laidley Art Show
Plus numerous commendations and awards
Grants
G.C.City Council Rapid Response Cultural Development Grant 2002
Corporate Collections
Portrait of Margaret May, Portrait of Dr Cherrell Hirst AO: Women at Work International
40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
14 artworks, Surfers Paradise Executive Offices
40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
14 artworks, Surfers Paradise Executive Offices
Commissions
1999-present Various painting and drawing commissions for private clients
2004-2019 Various designs and painting of sets for school musicals
2012 14 artworks, Surfer’s Paradise Executive Offices
2007 4 Paintings, Tokiya Restaurant, Mermaid Beach
2006 Outside murals, Hillcrest Christian College
2005 Artist’s impressions for real estate agent
2005 40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
2003-2005 Murals for the grounds of Hillcrest Christian College
2003 Tea towel designs for Souvenirs Australia
2001 Portrait painting for principal Hillcrest Christian College
2004-2019 Various designs and painting of sets for school musicals
2012 14 artworks, Surfer’s Paradise Executive Offices
2007 4 Paintings, Tokiya Restaurant, Mermaid Beach
2006 Outside murals, Hillcrest Christian College
2005 Artist’s impressions for real estate agent
2005 40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
2003-2005 Murals for the grounds of Hillcrest Christian College
2003 Tea towel designs for Souvenirs Australia
2001 Portrait painting for principal Hillcrest Christian College
Artist In-Residencies
2021 Artist in Residence, Alluvial Gallery, Gympie
2011 Guest Artist, St Hilda's Art Show
2009-2013 Guest Artist, Gold Coast Show
2009 Guest Artist, Southport Library
Selected Teaching Appointments
2020- present Weekly watercolour classes, home studio
2019 – 2020 Weekly art classes, Primary & Community Care, Mermaid Beach
2020 - present Multiple art workshops, Bienarte, Brisbane
2019 – 2020 Weekly art classes Flare Academy, Nerang
2017 - 2020 Weekly watercolour lessons, Royal QLD Art Society, Broadbeach
2017 - present Monthly art workshops, Framed Just For You, Gold Coast
2015 – present Multiple workshops in diverse media, Artable Workshops, NSW and QLD
2020 - present Weekend watercolour workshops, SASIinc, Esk
2020, 2022 Weekend watercolour workshops, Quilpie Cultural Society, Quilpie
2019, 2023 5 week drawing workshop, Gold Coast & Gympie
2019-present 5 acrylic painting workshops, Studio Village community group, Gold Coast
1999 - 2019 Various art & Professional Development workshops for teachers and students, Hillcrest C.College
2010 – 2019 Weekly Art Excellence art classes for High School students, Hillcrest Christian College
2009 – present 23 watercolour/colour pencil workshops, Coochie Art Group
2019 4 week watercolour course and workshop, Cutter’s Art Yard, Currumbin
2017 Two watercolour workshops, Don Milner’s studio, Tinbeerwah
2017 Two watercolour workshops, Redcliffe Art Society
2015 - 2021 Four 5 day workshops, watercolours, McGregor Winter School, USQ Toowoomba
2012 – present Ten coloured pencil/watercolour workshops, Murray’s Art & Framing, Toowoomba
2016 Two watercolour workshops, Ipswich Art Society
2016 6 day watercolour workshop, Oakey Art Group
2015 - 2016 Weekly watercolour lessons & colour pencil lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016 Weekly children’s art lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016 Watercolour lessons, home studio and Louise Corke’s studio, Pimpama
2014 Weekend colour pencil workshop, Rockhampton Art Society
2014 - 2016 Two watercolour workshops, Lismore Art Club
2013 Watercolour 4 day workshop, McGregor Spring School, USQ, Toowoomba
2013 Coloured Pencils 6 day workshop, Maryborough Art Festival
2010 - 2012 Nine various art workshops, Brisbane Artist’s Academy
2007 Weekend drawing workshop, Annabel Tully’s studio, Quilpie
2019 – 2020 Weekly art classes, Primary & Community Care, Mermaid Beach
2020 - present Multiple art workshops, Bienarte, Brisbane
2019 – 2020 Weekly art classes Flare Academy, Nerang
2017 - 2020 Weekly watercolour lessons, Royal QLD Art Society, Broadbeach
2017 - present Monthly art workshops, Framed Just For You, Gold Coast
2015 – present Multiple workshops in diverse media, Artable Workshops, NSW and QLD
2020 - present Weekend watercolour workshops, SASIinc, Esk
2020, 2022 Weekend watercolour workshops, Quilpie Cultural Society, Quilpie
2019, 2023 5 week drawing workshop, Gold Coast & Gympie
2019-present 5 acrylic painting workshops, Studio Village community group, Gold Coast
1999 - 2019 Various art & Professional Development workshops for teachers and students, Hillcrest C.College
2010 – 2019 Weekly Art Excellence art classes for High School students, Hillcrest Christian College
2009 – present 23 watercolour/colour pencil workshops, Coochie Art Group
2019 4 week watercolour course and workshop, Cutter’s Art Yard, Currumbin
2017 Two watercolour workshops, Don Milner’s studio, Tinbeerwah
2017 Two watercolour workshops, Redcliffe Art Society
2015 - 2021 Four 5 day workshops, watercolours, McGregor Winter School, USQ Toowoomba
2012 – present Ten coloured pencil/watercolour workshops, Murray’s Art & Framing, Toowoomba
2016 Two watercolour workshops, Ipswich Art Society
2016 6 day watercolour workshop, Oakey Art Group
2015 - 2016 Weekly watercolour lessons & colour pencil lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016 Weekly children’s art lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016 Watercolour lessons, home studio and Louise Corke’s studio, Pimpama
2014 Weekend colour pencil workshop, Rockhampton Art Society
2014 - 2016 Two watercolour workshops, Lismore Art Club
2013 Watercolour 4 day workshop, McGregor Spring School, USQ, Toowoomba
2013 Coloured Pencils 6 day workshop, Maryborough Art Festival
2010 - 2012 Nine various art workshops, Brisbane Artist’s Academy
2007 Weekend drawing workshop, Annabel Tully’s studio, Quilpie
Selected Publications
2022 Bell newspaper, front cover
2021 Gympie Living Magazine, 2 page article
2019 Art Edit, Autumn edition. Back cover.
2014 Australian Artist Magazine, May, June, August. 3 full length articles, Coloured pencils
2014 Artwise Australian Schools Textbook, reference and weblink
2013 Australian Artist Magazine, November. Full length article
2010 Australian Art Collector, Issue 53
2010 Paradise Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, August. Full 2 page article, ‘Delight in the Detail’
2007 Australian Artist Magazine, June. Photo of winning painting
2000 Australian Artist Magazine, August. Full-length article, “Coloured Pencil: the No-Fuss Medium.”
2002 Margaret May Reports, Photograph of portrait painting and short story
2001 Hillcrest Christian College Year Book, Portrait painting of school principal on cover of yearbook
2021 Gympie Living Magazine, 2 page article
2019 Art Edit, Autumn edition. Back cover.
2014 Australian Artist Magazine, May, June, August. 3 full length articles, Coloured pencils
2014 Artwise Australian Schools Textbook, reference and weblink
2013 Australian Artist Magazine, November. Full length article
2010 Australian Art Collector, Issue 53
2010 Paradise Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, August. Full 2 page article, ‘Delight in the Detail’
2007 Australian Artist Magazine, June. Photo of winning painting
2000 Australian Artist Magazine, August. Full-length article, “Coloured Pencil: the No-Fuss Medium.”
2002 Margaret May Reports, Photograph of portrait painting and short story
2001 Hillcrest Christian College Year Book, Portrait painting of school principal on cover of yearbook
Catalogues
Fabriano in Aquarello catalogues, 2022, 2023
International Watercolour Society catalogue 2013, 2016
Online Publications
Featured artist December 2010. www.colouredpencils.com.au
Fabriano in Aquarello catalogues, 2022, 2023
International Watercolour Society catalogue 2013, 2016
Online Publications
Featured artist December 2010. www.colouredpencils.com.au
Judging Appointments
2022 Woodford Community Art Group
2022 Maryborough Art Society
2021,2022 Watercolour Society of QLD, Brisbane
2002 Dalby Art Festival, Dalby
2000 Children’s art competition, Network Video Parkwood
2022 Maryborough Art Society
2021,2022 Watercolour Society of QLD, Brisbane
2002 Dalby Art Festival, Dalby
2000 Children’s art competition, Network Video Parkwood
Professional Memberships
2021 – Present Creative Arts Gympie Region
2021- 2023 Botanical Art Society QLD
2016-present Flying Arts, accredited membership
2011-2019 International Watercolour Society
2007-2020 Watercolour Society of QLD
2000-2006 Australian Coloured Pencil Network
2007- 2020 Royal QLD Art Society
2000-2006 Pastel Society of Australia
1999-2006 Coloured Pencil Society of America
2021- 2023 Botanical Art Society QLD
2016-present Flying Arts, accredited membership
2011-2019 International Watercolour Society
2007-2020 Watercolour Society of QLD
2000-2006 Australian Coloured Pencil Network
2007- 2020 Royal QLD Art Society
2000-2006 Pastel Society of Australia
1999-2006 Coloured Pencil Society of America
Painting Donations
2023 Rotary, Gympie
2022 Gympie Special School
2022 Australian Watercolour Muster fundraiser
2019, 2020 8x8 to Educate
2019 Combat Recovery Charity Ball & Auction
2018 Epilepsy Action Australia
2017 School art auction, Hillcrest Christian College
2013 Riding for the Disabled
2002-2005 Leukemia Foundation Art Auction
2003-2004 Access Arts Champagne Box Auction
2002 Women at Work, Art Collection
2022 Gympie Special School
2022 Australian Watercolour Muster fundraiser
2019, 2020 8x8 to Educate
2019 Combat Recovery Charity Ball & Auction
2018 Epilepsy Action Australia
2017 School art auction, Hillcrest Christian College
2013 Riding for the Disabled
2002-2005 Leukemia Foundation Art Auction
2003-2004 Access Arts Champagne Box Auction
2002 Women at Work, Art Collection