I have been painting professionally for over 25 years and have enjoyed painting a wide range of subjects in different styles and mediums with a passion for colour. I am now focusing more on the female face and form using colours and the effects of gold and other metallics.

I grew up in Blenheim and from a young age I loved all crafts. I designed clothes for my dolls and was successful in winning drawing and colouring competitions. I sold my first oil painting in my teens, a portrait. My early employment was as a fashion illustrator and I ventured into fashion design for a short time and gained two first prizes. For most of my adult life I lived in Hamilton where I tutored art and fashion design at the Waikato Technical institute, but my husband and I moved to Tauranga in 2015.

With a passion for creativity and knowledge I am self taught and my professional art career began with realism. I was delighted with my first exhibition in Auckland when most of my still life paintings sold. Moving on from still life I then ventured into impressionism, expressionism and abstract works and have always gravitated to the female face and form. I entered a few competitions in the 90’s and won five first prizes.

I love to pass on my knowledge and inspire others and have tutored art to adults and children for many years. In 2012 I began Art from the Heart workshops and have had workshops in Tauranga and around New Zealand. I have also painted live at indoor and outdoor events. Sometimes I’ve had requests to speak about my art journey and I love to inspire others in this way.

My desire is to paint works of beauty and colour which touch the senses and to encourage as many as I can along the way to discover and enjoy their own creative gifting.