About Me

The Things I Love to Paint

People often ask me why I paint spiders. The simple answer is that I find them fascinating. While many people see spiders as something to avoid, I see beauty, complexity and character. Their intricate patterns, delicate webs and remarkable adaptability make them wonderful subjects to paint. Every spider seems to have its own personality, and I enjoy capturing details that encourage people to look a little closer and perhaps see them in a different light.

Cats are another favourite subject. Anyone who has shared their life with a cat knows they are full of attitude, curiosity, independence and charm. They can be elegant one moment and completely ridiculous the next. Their expressive faces and quirky behaviours provide endless inspiration.

My love of Australian nature also features strongly throughout my work. From native flowers and birds to the colours, textures and light of the Australian landscape, I am continually inspired by the natural world around me. Spending time outdoors, observing and sketching, helps me stay connected to the subjects I love most.

Alongside these more recognisable subjects, you’ll often notice a collection of recurring symbols appearing in my paintings. Paper planes frequently find their way into my artwork. To me, they represent imagination, freedom, adventure and the courage to follow unexpected paths. They are simple objects, yet they carry a sense of possibility and wonder.

Daisies are another favourite. Cheerful, resilient and uncomplicated, they remind me to find beauty in ordinary moments and to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

Barbed wire often appears as a contrasting element. It speaks of obstacles, boundaries and challenges, but also resilience and determination. Life isn’t always smooth, and I like acknowledging both the beauty and the difficulties that shape our journeys.

The full moon makes regular appearances too. It brings a sense of mystery, reflection and connection to the rhythms of nature. Moonlight transforms familiar landscapes into something magical and encourages us to pause and look a little deeper.

Colour plays an important role in my work, particularly the colour orange. Orange appears again and again throughout my paintings as a symbol of warmth, creativity, energy and optimism. Combined with earthy tones, it helps create a sense of connection to the Australian landscape and reflects my love of natural colours and textures.

Together, these subjects and symbols form a visual language that runs through much of my work. Whether I’m painting a spider, a cat, a native flower or an old weathered door, each piece tells a story about curiosity, connection, resilience and finding beauty in unexpected places.

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AWARDS, EXHIBITIONS AND EDUCATION

Classes and Workshops

• I run regular watercolour classes and workshops during the day and evening in Wangara. Details can be found by following this link – Painting Classes
• In 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 I taught watercolour lessons at the Albany Summer School, and have been invited back again to teach in 2024
• In 2019 I ran a watercolour workshop on peacock spiders for Nature Arb Lab in Canberra
• I have led art tours in Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, and will be venturing further afield (including overseas to Greece in 2028) over the coming years. Details can be found on my News page

Awards

• 2025 Watercolour Society of WA – first prize in the Special Category
• 2023 Gingin Art Awards Exhibition – Best Painting Award
• 2022 Watercolour Society of WA – People’s Choice Award
• 2021 Watercolour Society of WA – Sponsor’s Award AND Popular Choice Award
  

  Winner of Popular Choice Award – 2021 WSWA Annual Awards Exh

• 2020 Watercolour Society of WA – Highly Commended Award
• 2019 Watercolour Society of WA – Highly Commended Award
• 2019 Joondalup Community Art Awards – Best Body of Work on Display
• 2018 Watercolour Society of WA – Best Painting in Special Category – “Reflections”
• 2016 Watercolour Society of WA – Highly Commended Award
• 2015  Watercolour Society of WA – Best Painting in “General” Category
• 2014  York Art Awards – Best Watercolour and Highly Commended Awards
• 2013  Dalwallinu Arts Festival – Acquisition Art Prize
• 2013  Watercolour Society of WA – Highly Commended Award
• 2013  Cervantes Art Awards – Highly Commended Award
• 2012 Watercolour Society of WA Annual Awards – Highly Commended Award
• 2011 Dalwallinu Arts Festival, Watercolour Section – First Prize
• 2011 Dalwallinu Arts Festival, Best Art Entry
• 2010 Cervantes Art Festival, Watercolour Section – 1st Prize.
• 2010 Watercolour Society of WA Annual Art Awards – Highly Commended Award.
• 2009 Riseborough Fini Olives Inaugural Annual Acquisitive Art Award – 2nd Prize
• 2008 Watercolour Society of WA – Honourable Mention
• 2005 Float design competition for RAC/Channel 7 Christmas Pageant – 1st Prize
• 2005 Rockingham Regional Art Award – Highly Commended Award
• 1996 Leonora Art Prize Inc – Best Local Watercolour
• 1992 Leonora Art Prize Inc – Highly Commended Award

Solo Exhibitions

• 2020 “My Spider Art Journey”, Leamac Framing and Gallery, Clarkson, Western Australia
• 2013 “Brief Moments of Sanity”, blend(er) Gallery, Joondalup, Western Australia (dual exhibition with artist Harry Davies)
• 2010 “Colour In Continents”, Gingin, Western Australia (dual exhibition with artist Sandra Bishop)
• 2007 “Wingin’ It”, blend(er) Gallery, Joondalup, Western Australia
• 2002 “Getting My Bearings”, Yanchep, Western Australia
• 1997 “The Middle of Nowhere”, Leinster, Western Australia
• 1991 “Scenes That Make You Go Hmmm…!”, Norseman, Western Australia

Art Education

• 2015 -Five days of watercolour workshops with John Lovett, hosted by the Watercolour Society of WA
• 2015 – Five days of watercolour portrait workshops with Cherry Hood at Cairns Art Escape, Cairns, Queensland
• 2014 – Five days of watercolour classes with Greg Allen, one of Australia’s finest watercolour artists, hosted by the Watercolour Society of WA
• 2013 – Five days of watercolour painting classes with Mike Ferris – watercolour artist and teacher – at the Cairns Art Escape, Cairns, Queensland
• 2012 – Weekend workshop with Tony Smibert, world renowned Australian watercolour artist and teacher
• 2012 – Full Week of painting workshops with Robert Wade, Terry Lewitzka, and Lorraine Lewitzka – all prominent Australian watercolour artists and teachers
• 2011 – Full Day workshop with Alvaro Castagnet – prominent watercolour artist from Uruguay
• 1997 – 2008 Ongoing community art and craft lessons including watercolours, oils, acrylics, life drawing, mosaics, leadlighting, and pottery
• 1992 – 1997 Foundation Studies 1,2,3 (Painting) in Certificate of Art & Craft 10163, Curtin University of Technology, Kalgoorlie, WA (classes held in Leinster).
• 1992 – 1997 Materials & Methods (Painting) in Certificate of Art & Craft with Kalgoorlie College, held in Leinster.
• 1992 – 1997 Materials & Methods (Drawing) in Certificate of Art & Craft with Kalgoorlie College, held in Leinster.
• 1988 One year of Bachelor of Education majoring in Art, at Avondale College, New South Wales.