About me
Art is who I am, and my inspiration is everywhere.
I remember being very fond of art from a very young age. My year one teacher called my mum aside to let her know I struggled with math, but am very good with colour. This has remained true to who I have become. I always lost myself in the beauty around me and stopped to appreciate the little things other's may walk past. I would love to bring the beauty I see into other peoples lives through my artworks.
As a young teenager, I painted with a group of ladies much older than myself. This was where I learned a lot about painting techniques and the basics of oils and working with colour.
Upon completion of year 12 at North Rockhampton State High school, I decided it would be awesome to have a job where I could use my artistic abilities as a career so completed a Diploma of Commercial art. I passed with honours and worked within the printing industry for about a year before deciding a more active job would be interesting.
With that thought, I acquired an apprenticeship training as a Signwriter at Centre State Signs. Within the 4 years of training, I gained a name as the local mural artist in Rockhampton. The four years of training gave me a lot of knowledge in paints and substrates. I was awarded top apprentice in 1997 by the Sign Association of Australia.
I found a passion for airbrush painting on weekends and still created the occasional Oil painting for family, friends and leisure.
Once completing my trade certificate, I moved to Brisbane where I started a family.
This became a very busy time in my life and painting wasn’t something I had time for. I would squeeze the occasional artwork on request, but being a parent was my priority.
We moved to the Gold Coast in 2003 and once the children became a little more dependent, I started giving art lessons from home on weekends. This was very rewarding for both my students and myself as I loved to see their art progress throughout the year.
In 2004 I started my own business as a Graphic Artist and Signwriter. In this time, I painted several murals around the Gold Coast. In March 2008 I painted a sepia themed painting that represented the Blue Train in Tuesley Park, Southport where the old toilet block used to stand (this has since been demolished). By the end of 2008 I painted murals under and around the Sundale Bridge Southport. This mural is still standing after 16 years.
Pelican mural on the side of the Sundale Bridge
These pelicans were painted on the battered wall beside the Sundale Bridge. Unfortunately this no longer exists as the tram line went over the area.
Pelican mural on the side of the Sundale Bridge
The heavy work of signwriting and murals took its toll on my body, so I decided to give tattooing a try. I worked in a tattoo studio for a couple of years where I would design tattoos and just started to tattoo when I had another change of career.
In 2013 I started a new business making children’s artwork into personalized gifts. During the COVID lock-downs I pulled out my paint gear which ignited the urge to be creative myself again, so after owning ToucanDoo for 9 years, I sold it to a lovely lady on the Gold Coast. Now I had the time available to start doing what I have always loved and painting again.
I love doing all forms of art and have become very fond of Oils, Acrylics, watercolour and charcoal art. I feel that each art suits it's own medium and I like to adjust my style to suit the feel of the image I am portraying. I will even do mixed media to create multi layered artworks that have deep hidden meanings and messages.
I joined the Royal Queensland Art Society on Mother's Day 2022 and entered my first 2 paintings in the monthly theme "Portraiture". One of my artworks "Play with Colour" was awarded first place which is very rewarding and encouraging.
Every month is a different theme at the gallery and I will hang one or two paintings most months.
I have won the "Peoples Choice" award for three of my portrait artworks which to me is the ultimate prize as we paint for ourselves, but we paint for the people.
I have entered into "The Doyles Art Award" 2 years running and each time all of my paintings have been accepted as finalists.
Awarded People's Choice
Awarded Peoples Choice
Finalist at "The Doyles Art Award"
Awarded People's Choice
From 14th January 2025 I will be taking over from Jo's painting classes at the Royal Queensland Art Society studio upstairs. I love to share my knowledge of art and help others build their passion and skill. I'm looking forward to watching my students flourish as their confidence grows.
I am excited to grow as an artist and do commission works as well as my own inspired paintings with quality limited edition reproductions. This was my retirement dream, but if I can gain enough support, I will continue painting till I can no longer hold the brush. I am excited about this journey and sharing my artwork with the world.
Maybe one of my artworks will make its way into your home.