About me

I began painting in 2008 as part of a journey exploring my new ‘self’.  I was adopted soon after birth in 1947 in London by a family who were very good to me. In 2005, after searching for some time, I met a few members of my biological family. This was wonderful and I discovered we shared a whole set of skills and interests.

After a fascinating short introductory art course given by a local Mosman artist in Sydney, Judy Lane, I studied with the Julian Ashton School of Art exploring traditional techniques of fine art, drawing and painting, with Jessica Ashton.  I use oil paints because of the rich colours and moods they create, and their flexibility and forgiving nature.  I love to observe and in my normal day-to-day activities, have enormous fun imagining possible compositions and ‘pictures’. I love to experiment with light and to blend colours, and to paint what I see.

My most important influences are the Dutch master painter, Jan Vermeer and the Australian ‘Heidelberg’ school of impressionist painters, especially Arthur Streeton.  Attempting to paint my own versions of their work provided an invaluable learning experience.

I enjoy painting landscapes, portraits, still life, wild animals and flowers.  I still have to find my own distinctive style – but get so much pleasure with the process of learning and exploring that I’m happy to treasure the journey and just be.

It is very early days yet, but my work has been hung in the Julian Ashton School Teachers and Student Exhibitions, and the 2011 and the 2014 “Artists of Mosman: 2088” exhibitions. I am a member of the Mosman Art Society in Sydney Australia and some of my work can be seen in the Members Gallery on their website too.

I was born in London, grew up in Zimbabwe, lived as a young adult in South Africa, eventually moving to beautiful Mosman in Sydney, Australia in 1980.

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