I work at my home studio/workshop in the beautiful seaside village of Urunga, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New South Wales coast.
I made my first quilted project at the age of 12, with my grandmother who was very crafty! ‘Australiana’ has been the most important influence on the direction I have taken with my fibre artwork.
I spent time growing up in the west of New South Wales at Narrabri, and I remember the colours and textures from that side of the Great Divide – the heat and dryness of the land will always be a part of me. I was also influenced by tropical colours while living in Papua New Guinea as a child, where the vivid contrasts in the fabrics and unique patterns of the Chinese trading stores were fantastic.
I can hear the ocean from my home at Urunga, and I love to go walking amongst 100 year old trees in nearby forests. I am blessed to be able to retreat to this place when I return home from teaching or exhibition trips.
I attended Coffs Harbour TAFE (1989), to complete an Advanced Fashion Certificate, Millinery, Wearable Art, Fashion Drawing, and Small Business Management.
I am passionate about Australia. The colours, the places and the people. I am very proud to be Australian and that is what motivates me artistically … with a lot of the themes I create and the colours I use to design with.
This story is from the No 172 edition of Artists Palette.
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This story is from the No 172 edition of Artists Palette.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
