I'm still getting used to calling myself an artist. Until 8 years ago, I hadn't attempted to draw or paint a picture since I was in high school in the mid 1960's! But then a strange thing started to happen: I began to look at things differently; I started to really notice colours and appreciate scenery in a different way, and I realised that I was starting to think "I'd really like to be able to paint that". So I went to an art shop, bought myself a basic watercolour set and some paper, and gave it a go. I began by trying to mix particular colours and found that it came quite easily, and I really enjoyed it. So then I got braver and tried to copy from photos taken by my husband, Mark. I'm fortunate that he has a great eye for composition and light, so I have learned about these aspects from attempting to copy the scenes in his photos. Since then I have read a lot, been to many workshops and spent time with my brother Chris, who is a UK based watercolour artist, my good friend Allie Eagle, who is an inspiring artist to work with.

A major development occurred for me in 2007, when I spent 8 wonderful days at The Quarry Arts Centre in Whangarei, attending their Summer Do workshops. Our tutor was Jane Zusters, who is a great teacher. She's supportive, passionate and challenging, and seems to have sharp antenna for pushing the right buttons in her students! I found out that there are no mistakes - just learning opportunities, and I gave myself permission to take risks and just have fun. I also worked with acrylics for the first time, and once I got used to the major differences from watercolour, I really enjoyed the depth you can achieve from multi-layering, and different types of mark making. I came away with a series of 6 small works on board, and one large canvas, as well as lots of ideas and materials which I have since been putting to good use. 

Allie Eagle suggested to me last year that maybe my best option for learning was to become 'a workshop junkie'. I think she's right. So I'm now always looking forward to the next opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them.

In January, 2008, I went to another fantastic Summer Do 8-day workshop at The Quarry, this time with abstract painter James Lawrence. James is a wonderful teacher, and our group was firing from the first morning. James managed to impart a huge amount of information without really 'lecturing', and most of the learning was from hands on demonstration. It seemed I was able to go from a complete 'abstract ignorant' at the start of the week, to having reasonable confidence in my ability to produce something interesting, and having some idea of how to critique abstract paintings by the end of the week. Not bad, I reckon! I came home with several pictures I'm really proud of, and even managed to sell one after our group 'exhibition' on the last day. Came away with the beginnings of an understanding of abstract art, and a definite desire to 'give it a go' myself. Have very much enjoyed the explorations so far.

In January 2009 I returned to the Quarry for a workshop with Sue Daly and Maree Wilson, which for me, really carried on from the James Lawrence teaching, but also challenged me to dig deeper into myself and embrace my desires to communicate ideas and beliefs. Once again, I feel this time gave me a huge amount of information and inspiration to deepen my explorations with ideas and paint.

January 2010 saw me return once again to the Quarry, and another wonderful workshop with James Lawrence. This year he showed us the fundamentals of printing, which I enjoyed immensely and would like to explore in much more depth at some time. I found that the printing process and outcomes gave me an unexpected amount of inspiration for painting, and I am currently working towards an exhibition of abstract works directly inspired by prints I produced at this workshop.

I missed being at the Quarry in 2011, as my daughter Louise was getting married in Australia at that time, but now it’s 2012 and I’ve recently returned from another 8-day intensive experience, this time with tutor Philippa Blair.  Once again the course was immensely stimulating, and the interaction between the 14 participants was fun and very informative. It’s amazing how much information you can pick up from working in the same studio with an incredibly diverse group of artists.  Philippa was inspiring to be with - full of creative energy, and encouraging, as well as challenging, words for each artist.

TRAVELING

Had a hugely inspiring trip to Europe in the (Northern) summer of 2008- oh, the galleries of London and Paris! Enough to keep me striving and experimenting for years to come!

Sketching in a Paris garden, July 2008