Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

I am a textile artist. Fabric and the stitch as mark making have been part of my life for many years.

My inspiration comes from nature and the landscape, my artwork is an interpretation through my personal lens of line, shape, pattern and colour. Using the ‘quilt sandwich’ ( three layers) as my canvas, I use any number of mixed media techniques such as raw edge applique, hand colouring with Inktense pencils, hand painting using acrylics, stenciling, printmaking, free motion stitching, and hand stitching.

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth? 

I was born in Papua New Guinea to NZ parents. Other cities I have lived in are Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle, Auckland and London.

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street?

Mount Maunganui, we love walking up and around, and the beach.

What’s an average day in your life at present?  

The structure of my work day is to go to my paid work in the morning and later in the afternoon spend time in my studio working on whatever the current project is.

Looking back at your teen-age self: what one sentence describes that person?

My teenage self was incredibly shy and reserved but the passion for design and creating with fabric and art was deep and strong.

 

In one sentence, can you define creativity?

Creativity is our own unique way of approaching the world, our unique way of finding new ideas and being able to translate that uniqueness into a physical form – art, writing, drama.

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?

After exhibiting and traveling in France last year I would like to live for a period of time in France.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person? 

Surround yourself with mentors, learn from them but find your own voice and your own ‘why’. Seek out opportunities and find the courage to put yourself out there.  Keep learning and growing.

Has there been a particular moment where you surprised yourself by using creativity to solve, express, or connect?

As a former art therapist, the power of creativity cannot be underestimated. If people allow themselves to connect with their creativity it opens up ways of new ways of expression and potential solutions.