BIO

I was born in Dunedin NZ in 1965. 

My parents had married at the very young ages of 17 and 18. Their youthful and ambitious attitudes meant our lifestyle over the next fifteen years was transient and colourful. It also meant I went to eleven different schools between 1970 until 1984. I sometimes wonder if this constant change ignited my sense of creativity. The final years of my education were spent at Taroona High School, which offered a plethora of art based subjects, so my interest in art developed The first piece of furniture I made was a couch in a woodwork class when I was 15. When it was purchased by my graphic design art teacher I gained confidence. 

I continued to dabble in the arts, starting a fine arts diploma. This primarily focused on life drawing and sculpture. By this time I was doing sculptural workshops with Matcham Sipper and various other well-recognised artists. 

By the time I was twenty-seven I had a husband and three sons. As an outlet I joined Eltham’s Living and learning centre and joined a lead light class. It was a wonderful community that encouraged independent learning. 

At this point I began to study again and acquired a diploma of applied science which if nothing else gave me a rich understanding of anatomy and physiology. 

Discovering glass as a medium with which to work was like soul food. I immersed myself in it. But frustration began to set in as cold glass has its limitations. I began to explore the world of warm glass and within a few years I had purchased several kilns and was running my own studio – Red Door, in Research. As I was integrating all that I was learning myself, I loved sharing my new found knowledge with all those eager to learn in the studio. From the beginning of Red Door’s conception it has been a community friendly studio that thrived on absorbing and sharing knowledge. 

Before long it was natural for me to pick up pencils and brushes again. I like to work with both oils and watercolour. There is a particular harmony between watercolour and glass work as they both have the same beautiful translucent and transparent qualities. Also, in both, you add layer upon layer, building depth in presentation. 

Now I move between glass and painting daily and enjoy having multiple projects on the go. 

I have been a member of our shire’s fabulous NAOS program for 13 years. 

My work has been widely exhibited, including at Montsalvat Gallery, Eltham Community Library, The Light factory, Convent Gallery Daylesford, Seaview Glass Gallery Queenscliff and Gallery 765. My Archibald entry was selected by Victoria’s Salon de Refuse. A painting of Treasury Gardens was selected for The Marvellous Melbourne Exhibition. My watercolour design was chosen as the winning logo for the Eltham Art Show. My entry of the “Drum” received the “People’s Choice Award”. 

I was thrilled to be chosen as one of the artists invited to contribute to the Landscapes of Nillumbik exhibition featured at Gallery 765. My three entries depicting Kangaroo Ground, Edendale Farm and the Aqueduct Trail, I am thrilled to say, were acquired by council as part of their illustrious collection. 

Over the past 15 years my work has been commissioned both privately and commercially.