My first painting was a water colour painting of our cowshed at age 12.
Working in Auckland in my teens I trained as an airbrush artist.
Waihi is a gold mining town with beaches only 15 minutes away.
My dream of becoming an artist, originally self taught drew inspiration from my surroundings of mountains, rivers and old gold mining cottages.
The open cast Gold Mine on our doorstep provides me with an awareness of the beauty below. A palette of colour from blue grays, rusts, gold and ochres all exhibited on the rocky faces.
Views of the Kaimai range and Mount Te Aroha and changing views from our home windows are a constant inspiration.
My love of nature has always drawn me to floral subjects,landscapes, seascapes, animals and the ultimate challenge of portraits.
I have been captivated by the many different mediums and challenges provided by them.
I have over the years run workshops from home or other locations for private attendees and various Art clubs.
A large commission was to paint a large mural 7mx3m on a shop wall in Katikati a neighbouring town.
The Lion Breweries Art Award would be the principal of over 60 awards I have received over the years.