Background

I consider myself a late bloomer. In September 2012 my husband John and I holidayed at Port Douglas in Queensland. I was blown away by the palette of vibrant colours of flora and fauna. I had never considered myself ever being an artist, the fact that I could not draw like many of my friends at school saw my creative ability in this genre was nil. My husband has always painted with acrylics so, after after our trip to Queensland, I asked him could I please try using his paints. I set myself up on a kitchen bench with his paints and a cheap little canvas. Well, much to my surprise that experience opened the dam gates.

Frankly, I could not stop painting. Everywhere I looked it was with new eyes of seeing. Colour was splashed about and I probably painted 50 paintings within the first year. My guess is that this creative aspect of self had been placed in the proverbial genii bottle with a cork tightly clamped in the top. From there I have never looked back step by step, just like when young children learn to crawl and walk, I fairly quickly wanted to work with more texture and light but I think my most favourite thing to place in my paintings is energy and what the human eye does not always see. To evoke something that speaks to the viewer of my work. The spirit of the paint is always given free rein and create something that speaks to my heart & soul. Without this passion, my paintings would not exist.

I truly see myself as a 'spokesperson' when people say to me they cannot paint, draw, etc. I can in a very honest way reply. If I can do it, you too can do it!

Training

Acrylic Art Classes with John York, Woodend.
Helen Cottle, - Watercolour Art Classes in Gisborne

Art Group Memberships

Macedon Ranges Art Group