The Artist
Since a very young age I have always drawn and painted. My first experience with colour and texture was with my grandfather who, as a painter-decorator by trade, showed me how to blend colours with pastel sticks on the reverse side of embossed wallpaper which was full of bumps and texture. Thus began my passionate journey into a world of colour, texture and experimentation with all mediums. My formal art training was at St.George and East Sydney Techs in Sydney in the late 60's before moving to Canberra where I continued my studies in all mediums and forms of expression over the next 20 years, culminating in 1985 with an exhibition at the Hesley Gallery with other known artists such as Lloyd Rees and Patrick Carroll.
Further studies and qualifications led to a 20 year career as a commercial interior designer running my own business, while continuing painting and exhibiting.
In 2002 I returned to painting as my primary occupation while also being a board member of Canberra Arts Marketing. I have been further involved with the development and promotion of the local art scene as president of the Artists Society of Canberra and editor for four years of their newsletter. My work has been published in local newspapers and Australian Artist magazines as well as produced on two Canberra tourism brochures. I have also enjoyed judging art exhibitions at Ulladulla, Goulburn, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Cooma and Canberra.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to South America, Africa, Egypt, Ireland, England, China, France and Venice. As well, in 2007 and 2010 I studied art techniques in South Carolina and Taos New Mexico, USA. The colour and excitement of all these places has influenced my work.
My work is represented in private collections in England, Ireland, Norway, Canada, USA, and has been reproduced in Australian Artist magazine, The Canberra Times, The Chronicle, Capital Magazine, an the 2003 and 2004 tourism brochures "Arts Around Canberra - Musical Theatre Calendar".
My studio is located next to my home on our small family vineyard just north of Canberra.
Solo Exhibitions
2011 Home & Away, South Hill Gallery, Goulburn
2010 Hot Colours, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, Bungendore, NSW
2007 The Good Life, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, Bungendore NSW
2004 Take Note, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, Bungendore, NSW
Plus nine shared exhibitons including The Forest Gallery, South Durras, NSW,
Pialligo Fine Art Gallery, ACT and Cuppacumbalong Gallery, NSW
Achievements
2010
Finalist Portia Geach Memorial Art Award, S H Ervin Gallery, Sydney
Finalist Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
Finalist Calleen Art Award, Cowra Reginal Gallery
Finalist Goulburn Art Award, Goulburn Regional Gallery
2009
Finalist Goulburn Art Award, Goulburn Regional Gallery
Finalist Calleen Art Award, Cowra Regional Gallery
Finalist Mortimore Art Prize, Dubbo
2008
Winner Brindabella Art Award, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra.
Winner Goulburn Annual Traditional Art Prize, Goulburn
Runner Up Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, NSW.
Finalist Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, South Australian Museum.
Finalist Berkelouw Self Portrait Prize, Bowral.
Finalist Mortimore Art Prize (Travelling Exhibition) Dubbo-Sydney-Bungendore.
2006
Finalist Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
2005
Best of Show Artists Society of Canberra Annual Exhibition
Finalist Walkom Manning Art Prize
2004
Finalist Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
Finalist Canberra Art Award
Finalist Bega Art Award, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
2003
First Prize Bega Art Award, Acrylic Painting, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
First Prize Goulburn & District Art Society, Judges Award
Finalist Cowra Arts Festival, Cowra Regional Gallery
Finalist Canberra Art Award, Canberra, ACT
2002
Finalist Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
Champion Exhibit, Art Exhibition, Royal Canberra Show
First Prize Oil and Acrylic Painting, Royal Canberra Show
First Prize Mixed Media, Royal Canberra Show
Finalist Bega Art Award, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
Finalist Cowra Arts Festival, Cowra Regional Gallery
Collections
Canberra School of Music
Represented by
Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, NSW