Born and bred in Rosewhite, raised on the family dairy farm. Schooled in Myrtleford and further advanced education Monash University, TAFE and The Centre Wangaratta.

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After a long career spanning fifty-two years in the field of Business Management, Finance and Administration, it was time to embark on a new life as a retiree from the fast and furious corporate world.

 

Spending many hours in long drawn-out meetings, I found myself drawing on agendas and meeting notes as a means of staying present in the moment. Over the years some of my subordinates have kept some of my drawings (doodling in a semi-cartoon form) as a reminder of the fun side of me that I tried to bring to the workplace.

 

Faced with retirement and the best years of my life already past, it was a question of how I was going to spend my days in a productive and meaningful manner. At this point in time being an Artist had never crossed my mind until a friend suggested I go to a local artist and get a lesson or two and just see what happens.

 

On the thirteenth of February 2024, I had my first art lesson with Raymond Hill a local artist from Kialla. Raymond is renowned for his beautiful Plein Air Landscapes, having travelled all over Australia and throughout Europe painting his magical pieces.

 

I was quickly introduced to the world of oils, landscapes and seeing scenes in the bush that I had never really appreciated until I had the opportunity to set up an easel by a river, a stead of beautiful gums or if it was raining and the weather conditions were not suitable to paint outside, I would find Ray setting up some still art scenes in the studio for me to paint. With the patients of a saint, he has taught me colour, structure, composition and letting the brush tell my story.

 

I am delighted to be a resident artist at the Art Gallery on Ovens and look forward to my first solo exhibition next year. My work reflects passion and soul, and I am eager to share it with art lovers and others who appreciate the beauty of our local landscape.