Short Autobiography

"My training as a tonal realist painter, specializing in oil over 35 years, has been a wonderful foundation from which to develop my painting technique and style. With 5 solo exhibitions and numerous awards for painting, my body of work continues to thrive mainly because I love combining teaching and painting. The combinaion of practise and teaching refreshs my view of myself as student and teacher. My aim is to pass-I-on (passion) something of the pain and the ecstatic joy I experience in an attempt to make a painting. I encourage all who have the desire to paint, to give it a go. It is a human right to create, and not a 'gift' limited to a few.

I am mostly fascinated with the idea of the painter being an instrument, whose work reveals something universal, something that touches what it is to be human. My work explores many techniques as I approach; the canvas openly, with an automatic response. I imagine when I paint, being in the airless Caves of Lascaux, deep in the earth drawing, painting images for the fecundity of life, paying homage to the human endeavour to find meaning. In a sense I explore, the painter/artist as psycho-pomp, ritual maker/shaman and conduit to spiritual dimensions".

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Education

1992 Bachelor of Art, Sociology, Anthropology and Art History Majors, Cinema Studies, Contemporary Feminist Thought, Minors. La Trobe University, Bundoora.
1999 Diploma of Art Therapy, Ikon Institute of Victoria, Melbourne.
1979 -1985 Studied under Frank Gill, Mitcham, Melbourne. (tonal realist & colourist).
1972 – 1974 Studied under Alan Martin, Eltham, Melbourne. ( A tonal impressionist student of the celebrated Max Meldrum).

Exhibitions, Art Projects, Workshops, Talks and Art Performances

2006 In the Flow, Mural , North Yarra Community Health Centre, 375 Hoddle Street, Collingwood.
2005 Meditation Garden, Rosanna Fire Station Community House 232 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna.
2004- 2005 Wall of the Imagination and Sculpture, mosaic and ferro cement render Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
2005 Serpents Head path Mia Mia Gallery, Westerfolds Park, Templestowe. Greencore project.
2004-2005 Mosaic Panels, Doncaster Primary School.
2004 Exhibition Doctors of Northcote, 'Finding the Heart Beat of Northcote'
2003 Painting Workshop for Outback Women, Dirranbandi, Queensland.
2002 Doncaster Primary School Arts after school program. Art Therapy workshop for Heritage Australia, Canberra.
2002 Watsonia Neighbourhood House, Art Therapy workshop. Children’s Art Holiday Program 'Weaving the Web', a sculptural performance.
2002 Demonstration of painting Doncaster, Ringwood, Brighton, Heidelberg Art Societies
2001 Royal Women’s Hospital ‘Reclaiming the art of Dying’ – ‘Women’s Day 2000’, Dianella Community Health, Broadmeadows.
2000 Exhibition, Doing Art Studio,'Serpent's Mouth Open', giant serpent canvas and paint. 'Looking at a coffin. Help! ' installation Open Studio Banyule City Council.
1999 Established with Rosemary Mangiamele Art and Soul Coffins and Ceremonies to offer a creative/healing approach to death and dying.
1999 Australian Film and Television School Art work and direction.
1998 Exhibition of painting, 'On the road to Rhodes', Fitzroy Gallery, Fitzroy.
1992 ‘Art Adventure’ workshop funded by Northcote Council.
1991 – 1999 T.P.I. Return Service Art Group.
1990 Hamilton Art Show First Prize.
1990 Wimmera Art Show, Best Painting.
1990 Bright Art Show 'Miniature Prize.
1991 Warragul Rotary Art Show Prize.
1992 Mornington Rotary Art Show Prize
1989 Artists in Schools Program. Grades 4,5 & 6 Four remote Primary schools in North Eastern Victoria.
1989 Wangaratta Art Show,Grand Prize, Art Gallery Council Collection
1990 Wangaratta Art Show Grand Prize, Art Gallery Council Collection 1989 Exhibition of Painting, ‘Veritas Galleria’ Eldorado , Victoria.
1988 Exhibition of painting ‘Olive Lodge’, Oxley, Victoria
1988 Exhibition, 'Flinders Ranges and back', Benalla
1987 Australian Rural Prize, Wangaratta Collection
1986 Australian Rural Prize, Wangaratta Collection
1979 - current - Teaching The Centre for Continuing Education, Wangaratta. The Pathway, Adult Education Yarrawonga. Bright Community Centre, Benalla Artist Guild, Wangaratta Art Society North Ringwood and Park Orchards Community centres.