Artist Statement
When I am asked “How long have I been painting?”, I usually respond “All of my life”. If I had to pick out one defining moment in my childhood when this seriously lodged in my psyche, it would have to be when my parents gave me a birthday gift of a box of 48 coloured pastels. I can still recall caressing those coloured sticks, losing myself in their rich colours and the possibilities. It is not then surprising that the effects of my first love affair with pastels are still evident in my work today.
The next defining moment began when I first encountered the Kimberley in 1992. The beauty, the harshness and the colours of the Kimberley landscape meant that the two week visit was just a teaser for what was about to come. One more visit and I knew that I had a connection with the Kimberley that had to be explored and savored through my interaction with the landscape and the subsequent painting of it. Mid 1990 saw my relocation from the fast paced Sydney corporate life to the outback town of Kununurra for a period of eleven years. Through the Kimberley School of Art, Lovell Gallery, and their founder (and my mentor) Nadeen Lovell, I was introduced to magic of oil paint and gouache and taught the skills to translate my feelings onto a two dimensional platform for others to share.
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Today I work across the three mediums as each one allows
me to explore a certain aspect of the subject matter, drawing out the unique
characteristics of the subject matter with those of the particular medium
selected. Through several government and semi government commissions, I
stepped outside my comfort zone and the basis for my current style, best
described as ‘contemporary realism’, was born. The three mediums enable
me to use push this style in different and exciting ways. |
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The subject matter I have chosen for the numerous exhibitions, commissions and award entries over the last 15 years has been the Kimberley region. I feel a strong connection with the region. My subject matter often incorporates both the hot, harsh, arid landscapes as well as some form of water catchment. On so many of my treks across the landscape, perspiring under the heat of the day, I would come across an unexpected spring, waterfall or partially dry creek bed. Water features regularly in my paintings as it is the basis of life and so important to survival in the Kimberley.
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During the execution of each
painting I have the pleasure to be transported to this special part of the
country and relive the beauty, smell the moisture on the spinifex early
in the morning, hear the sound of the birds and feel the temperature/humidity
level. I feel challenged with every painting to capture the essence of my
subject matter in a way that the viewer can share my joy and love of this
great region. I am currently travelling on a regular basis through the Pilbara region through the course of my work with Rio Tinto. I hope that my time spent in the Pilbara and Aboriginal Communities will add to my understanding and appreciation of their land. I would like to think that a body of work focusing on this region will be developed over the next couple of years and will contain the same feeling of love that I have for the Kimberley landscape. |
Kimberley continues to draw inspiration from the Kimberley landscape, through frequent camping and 4WD trips.
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Art Education
Awards
Commissions
Exhibitions
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