Artist Statement
Painting and drawing inform the way that I experience the world. Although my work is sometimes non representational, it is usually grounded in the observable, and born of a moment, a feeling, or the light. I have always enjoyed working outdoors, and from my first attempts at large outdoor works in the 1960’s, I have progressed through various mediums to find a technique that would enable to make the right marks on my paper or canvas. From pen and wash, to watercolour, oil on canvas, and acrylics, I have battled the elements with them all.
A decade ago, I started working with pastels with a clear medium on canvas, and for the first time was able to render the colours and light moments that I could see in an immediate way that for some people carry the tag ‘impressionist’. I maintain that I am merely being truthful.
For me, there is something very physical that happens to the way we see the world when we are immersed, when the same light that is hitting your retina is hitting your canvas.
The South Coast in all its seasons is now my inspiration, together with the human form.
Biography
The love of painting runs in my family, and skilled amateur painters populate my ancestry. One of my earliest memories is the smell of oil paint and watching my great aunt at work. I started painting seriously at high school, and was very fortunate to study architecture at the University of Sydney at a time when there was a very strong art school as part of the faculty. It was run by the legendary Sydney artist, Lloyd Rees, who was an inspiration to me among many others. The practice of art became integrated into my life in this period, and I was fortunate to teach under Lloyd Rees for several years.
After practicing architecture for 5 years, I decided to start a small regional gallery, where I had several solo exhibitions and participated in many group shows. The weaving of architecture and my art practice continued until 2000 a full time art practice beckoned. This has been an intensely rewarding time, and has seen my work in several solo and group exhibitions.
Education
Batchelor of Architecture (Hons) University of Sydney 1969
Diploma of Fine Arts 1988 (NSW TAFE)
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions
1977 ‘Hawkesbury Sandstone’ Dural Galleries
1988 ‘Angophora Dreaming’ Hornsby Gallery
2006 ‘Good Looking’ Mechanic’s Institute Moruya.
Group Exhibitions (selected)
1975-78 various shows at Dural Galleries
1989 group landscape at Hornsby Gallery
2002 ‘body’ the Priory at Bingie
2008 Basil Sellars Prize Mechanic’s institute Moruya
2009 ‘Sourcing the River’ Mechanic’s institute Moruya
2011 ‘from the treasure chest’ Mechanic’s institute Moruya