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