Campaspe Artists Studio Trail

“Everything is expressed through relationships. Colour can exist only through other colours, dimensions through other dimensions, positions through other positions that oppose them. That is why I regard relationships as the principal thing.” Piet Mondrian

I am an abstract painter but have been influenced by the observed, lived experience. I paint to explore relationships, to challenge myself to look more closely and question why some things work and others don’t. I am drawn to the stains and cracks on a footpath, the worn surfaces on old buildings, a corner of the garden where the colours and shapes capture my imagination. Being an artist trains the eye to observe the world more closely, this information infiltrates the senses and can show up in unexpected ways on the painted surface.

My paintings are built up in layers, they start off a bit chaotic. I will head to the paint shop select a handful of colour swatches and get sample pots made up. Back in the studio I will put the music on and start splashing paint around working on 6 or so canvasses at once. It’s a mess! I build up the layers, cover parts up that I don’t like, scratch, gouge and drip. I use glazes to help harmonise colours and switch to artist quality paints. Slowly, slowly the relationships will start to come together. The quiet areas will start to balance with the busy areas, colours will speak to each other and the eye will be guided through the painting….at least that’s the plan, it doesn’t always work out and some paintings are set aside to be revisited at a later date.

My art education has been spasmodic. I have attended many workshops in many different media. The recent growth in online courses, has allowed me to feed my curiosity and pursue whatever skill or knowledge is tempting me. I have been exploring the possibilities of printing with a gelli plate, collage, sculpture, textiles and I still return to mosaic where my creative journey began many years ago. I have had the opportunity to exhibit regularly, most recently at SAM (Shepparton Art Museum) with the Tuesday Junction art group where we explored our responses to the 2022 floods.