I began painting early 1997 after
previously working with glass for 15 years. Growing up
on Auckland's North Shore, as a child I alawys enjoyed
creative pursuits above other activities and would often
spend hours drawing and experimenting with making things
from a variety of materials.'
Having a handcraft jeweller mother and a landscape designer
dad and then later on a stepfather who is a talented artist
and sculptor was incredibly fortunate and supportive for
me. I learnt from a young age that it is possible to earn
a living using ones craft, and I was encouraged in a practical
way by my family to do so.
 It ha always been my goal to do
what I love most and use my art to make a living.
In 1981, soon after leaving school, I attended a leadlighting
course at the Sam Halstead Studios in Mt. Eden. Having had
a long fascination for glass I was inspired to set up a
workshop in the basement of my flat and then went on to
practise cutting glass and soldering etc, experimenting
making things mainly using the copperfoil technique of glasswork,
until I was competent enough to begin selling some of my
work.
Within six months I began working
for Chevalier Leadlight Company in Birkenhead where initially
I specialised in copperfoil work, and within a short time
was doing a lot of their design work as well.
After four years I left and went on to establish my own
small glass business and worked from home making pieces
using my own designs.
In 1989 I moved to the Coromandel Peninsula, which as a
community and environment I found to be more supportive
and inspiring for a self employed artist such as myself.
My small glass business, 'Moonstone Glass' grew over the
years to include my partner Scott, and together we supplied
galleries throughout New Zealand with a unique range of
glass pieces including hangings, mirrors, and jewellery
boxes, as well as undertaking numerous private commissions
for windows, lamps and other items.
Glass was a real passion for me; it
has a beautiful light reflective quality, intensity of colour
and wonderful textures. Working with glass helped refine
my design skills as it involves the discipline of stylising
and simplifying to create an effective design that can be
cut in glass. The way changing light effects colour, and
how colours effect each other is an important factor in
designing that I have now carried through to my paintings.
I feel deeply influenced by colour and have learned to appreciate
its potential.
In 1996 I began to experience RSI problems in my arms caused
by working with glass for such a long period. Also feeling
the desire to work with a less restrictive medium and to
'free myself' creatively, I began to paint. This was very
timely as Paula McNeill, a talented artist and technician
with experience using a variety of mediums, was offering
tuition. I took this opportunity to learn the idiosyncrasies
of paint and have an experienced artist view and advise
on my work.
During this time I immersed myself
in my painting work with enthusiasm. My understanding of
colour and line combined with a natural ability to draw
and compose pictures have given my paintings wide appeal
and they have become quite sought after.
I have works in a number of private collections in New Zealand,
and also in England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and
America.
My work often depicts New Zealand summers and our interesting
and beautiful coastline, and I am particularly drawn to
the light either end of the day when the sun is low and
golden and the shadows extended. The 'bent' line in my compositions
could be a reaction to working with flat, two-dimensional
glass, but it also creates movement and emphasises perspective.
I am also very interested in interiors, and looking from
inside to out. This often includes the close and distant
in one frame and gives the viewer an insight to my environment.
I am currently living in Cooks Beach
on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula with my partner
Scott and son Josh.
Click
here to visit my online-gallery
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