Artist Statement

Inspiration for much of my work comes from private and public gardens, architecture, frequent trips to the coast, country and Flinders Rangers.  I produce realistic representations of scenery, birds, animals and plants, hoping to encourage viewers to take a close look.  Even rocks and leaf debris warrant a closer look.  From childhood I have pursued interests in drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, embroidery and photography.

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Whilst taking a career break to have a family, I took sewing and embroidery from clothing into quilting.  I now produce textile art which incorporates techniques including hand and free machine applique and embroidery, quilting, beading, painting, dyeing, printing, wool felting and anything else that seems appropriate.  There is no automatic sewing machine work on my artworks.

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I am continually looking for some new and exciting technique or product that will help me achieve the affect I am aiming for.  This is a continuously evolving process - even during the development of each art piece.  I tend to include a lot of hand work on my pieces.  Hand embroidery and applique allows me to obtain the results that can't be achieved by machine.  I use all kinds of fibre, threads, ribbons and beads which, along with fabrics manipulation techniques, layering of sheer fabrics and the occasional application of dye, paint or ink, to produce a highly textural piece of art that takes advantage of light and shadow as well as colour.

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I have had four solo exhibitions in the Barossa Valley three of which were during SALA, as well as contributed to many city and regional exhibitions in South Australia.  

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I'm married with two children and I have a Batchelor of Applied Science in Mathematics and Computer Science.  I teach part-time in high school and after that spend as much time as possible cooking, gardening and sewing.