If you can read and write you can draw.  When reading you recognize shape, when writing you create shape - drawing is simply the use of these skills.  It requires confidence and, as  we are not drilled  (as we usually are with reading and writing),  few people develop the skills necessary or the confidence to start.

It was only after the birth of our 2 children that I determined to indulge my passion and began to to draw and  paint.   Ray Hughes (now recently retired as director of the Ray Hughes Gallery of Contemporary Art) was my teacher. The classes took place in his Brisbane Home at Red Hill. Ray taught me to identify with the subject and be true to my inner self. Also to explore the intricate relationships of one thing to another,  and how these, in a given atmosphere, can effect the whole.

In my work I sometimes also indicate the emotional environment of those I portray , especially in my cafe scenes - the interaction between people fascinates me,  be they  - mother and child,  people out walking their dogs,  or enjoying a meal/cup of coffee together.

After we moved  back to  Melbourne I studied still-life and flower painting with Berice Ireland, and then landscape with Lance McNeill.  However, despite having briefly attended classes give by many well known artists, the desire to formally study art remained. In 1981, I graduated with a BA Fine Art.  Later I added a Dip.Ed. then a M.Ed., and taught Art at Knoxfield College for 6 years.  Endeavouring to further broaden my skill whilst in England,   extra class in figure drawing were taken.

I always try to capture the essence of the environment and/or the people being portrayed.  Sculptural and clear my paintings are not tonal.  I look around with my eyes wide open and ask the viewer to do the same, and participate in the scene.  The subtle grace of a fern frond delights me, and the intricate shapes of the human body in action  provide a challenge.

Mutawintji

My subject matter varies greatly, a sojourn in France provided material for a series of paintings of Montmaitre, and whilst sailing the Mediterranean I chose to paint scenes from the Greek Islands. However the Australian bush - especially the gorges and gullies, and the many cafe scenes around Melbourne, remain my favourite subject matter.