Artist's Statement

I enjoy portraiture as a means of sharing my joy in human relations. I like to illustrate my subjects in motion, rather than posed, to capture a more natural expression, which may reflect their emotion, character, intelligence, mood or many of the other things I enjoy about people and relationships. People are a changing and endless fascination for me. The strongest desire in my life is to partake of the warmth of the human family, and I know I share this desire with many caring, beautiful and fascinating people.

Autobiography

I am a self trained artist who, like most people, started drawing and painting in early childhood but never stopped. I was born on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and preceded 4 sisters and 3 brothers. My father was a builder and draftsman, and I attribute to him my dogged determination and precision of eye. My mother was a stay at home mum who later became a psychologist and to whom I attribute my creativity, intelligence, easy going nature and relish for a colourful life.

In my youth I pursued musicianship, and particularly enjoyed the reciprocity and intimacy of playing or singing with other musicians whether formally or informally. I pursued art only in private, and with feelings of cynical despair, but found it relaxing. I married at 19 and fell pregnant immediately. My ability and inclination to practice music, or to meet with other musicians declined, and my first real success with portraiture occurred in 1995. I produced some sketches with a blue biro on a notepad of the most beautiful baby in the world - my first daughter!

I moved to Carrington, North Dakota in 1999 with my husband and two daughters. My two sons were born there, and after living there for just over four years, my children and I moved back to Australia (in 2003). In 2006 I decided to hone my acrylic portraiture skills and began to take commissions in 2007 as a part time business. I also worked as a book keeper part time. In June of 2008 we returned to the United States of America, to live in Maple Grove, Minnesota and be near my kids' Dad, now my ex-husband.

Collectors

Julie Jensen, Maple Grove, MN
Amber Stransky, Minnetonka, MN
Cate Heaven, Golden Valley, MN
Julie Henning, Maple Grove, MN
Larry Waterman, Minneapolis, MN
Laura Rosen, Jindalee, QLD Australia
Tiki Clothing Store, Mt Ommaney, QLD Australia
Louise Leadbetter, Jindalee, QLD Australia
Fiona Gray, Toowoomba, QLD Australia
Les and Denise Hand, Maryborough, QLD Australia
Marion Morely, Esk, QLD Australia
Megan Newl, Jindalee, QLD Australia
Helen , Jindalee, QLD Australia
Mary , Sumner Park, QLD Australia
Lyndon Earle, Jindalee, QLD Australia
Robert and Sharon Gray, Bellbowrie, QLD Australia
Megan Bulzomi, Carrington, ND
The Neumann Family, Jamestown, ND
New Horizons Gymnastics Center, Jamestown, ND
Alicia Ray, Mt Marrow, QLD Australia
Teresa and Denis Birtwhistle, Nanango, QLD Australia
Ellen and Donald Gray, Buderim Meadows, QLD Australia
Marilyn Atkinson, Palmwoods, QLD Australia
Aileen Gaffney, Corinda, QLD Australia