In 2016, I am celebrating my 6th year as an independent professional artist. I have always been an avid researcher, first in archaeology and law, and then in science and federal government. I still take an interdisciplinary approach to my creative pursuits and love using use my art to share stories and develop a culture of creativity.
In place of formal art school, my teacher has been life. Growing up in a multi-disciplinary family of makers exposed me to a wide variety of crafts and mediums. My travels throughout Europe, Asia and America allowed me to absorb wide ranging cultural aesthetics and themes. Pursuing my calling full time has exposed me to many challenges of artistic life in Australia- funding shortages, time pressures, volunteering, politics, media and critical exposure, isolation and communion with peer groups. Numerous art awards, success at exhibitions and a supportive buying public have strongly encouraged me to continue especially in raising the profile of under-appreciated natural history subjects.
In 2016, I am continuing my work on biological soil crusts. This work is inspired by my 2015 Artist in Residency with the National Research Collections of Australia- CSIRO's Herbarium in Canberra. One of my major works was accepted into the emerging category of the prestigious Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize- an honour, since I was among only 30 emerging artists selected from 627 artists from around the world. I have also newly completed a major architectural commission for the Aqua residential apartments in Bondi Junction. My work there was similarly inspired by microscopic biological communities.
Since I began my artistic journey, my work has been featured in major public institutions such as the National Museum of Australia, the National Dinosaur Museum, Parliament House, the National Arboretum (cards only), CSIRO Discovery and various embassies and arts centres. After organising an artistic retreat for wildlife and botanical artists at Montague Island, one of my cherished icons from childhood, I was proud to donate two of my pieces to the island.
I am also proud to have significantly supported Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc- a friendly association of artists established in Canberra around 15 years ago. I have variously served (on a completely voluntary basis) as Vice President, Exhibition and Symposium Coordinator, Media Liaison, Newsletter Editor and Field Trip Coordinator. My association with this group and other local community groups continues alongside my arts practice. I feel compelled to share my skills widely- to support common interests for the common good and inspire and enable others. I often write articles, teach, attend markets, exhibit and open my studio annually for the Queanbeyan City Council Arts Trail. o far I have delivered speeches and/or workshops for the following clients
- Australasian Systematic Botany Society Inc
- Benedict House Studio
- Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions
- Conservation Council ACT
- Contemporary Craft Retreat (Oct 2016)
- Department of Education and Training
- Open Gardens Canberra
- Palliative Care ACT
- Queanbeyan Uniting Church
- Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (Oct 2016)
- Red Hill Primary School
- Tuggeranong Arts Centre
- Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc
- Yass Garden Club
look forward to sharing stories with you wherever we meet on the arts trail.