"Creativity is intelligence having fun." Albert Einstein
"Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up." Pablo Picasso Artist's Statement I paint for several reasons, the first and foremost is the simple joy I get from it. Nothing compares to the pure sense of accomplishment in completing a painting that 'works' if only for me. It makes me so happy! Secondly, and more important, it teaches me to really 'see' and thus appreciate our incredible world and all of its inhabitants. Unfortunately not everything 'works' and sometimes it is difficult to persevere but I am in the process of comiting myself to a daily practice. It is hard to press on through doubt and indecision but as I have gotten older it is becoming less daunting. I know now so long as I continue to struggle with the paint eventually it will work out. Sometimes only by obliterating my attempt with another thick coat of opague paint. I try to remind myself the joy is in the process not the product.
The purpose of my work is my attempt to communicate the mystery and beauty of our planet, hopefully to inspire more appreciation and respect for the enviroment, ourselves and the creatures we share it with. I am fascinated with the different qualitiies of light; how it effects value and colour As well I enjoy the amazing abstract patterns that occur in nature.
"Keep your love of nature for that is the true way to learn to understand art more" Vincent Van Gogh
Artist's Bio One of five navy 'brats', while growing up on Vancouver Island, BC, my favorite childhood memories were of camping trips up island Even at a young age I was awestruck by the beauty of this place. I am lucky, I never forgot it even when life took me away. I always returned. Being in nature has always been a source of comfort, hope and wonder for me, despite the inevitable losses and sadness that comes with life. For me nature is sacred. Painting is my attempt to honour the ordinary and extraordinary miracles we see everyday. I feel fortunate to have grown up in Canada and have experienced the beauty of both coasts and much of the inbetween.
I studied English and Art History, graduating from the University of Victoria
I supported my studies by working for the federal government with the Canadian Council on Animal Care as well I worked in the commercial fishing industry, deckhanding in the salmon, halibut and prawn fisheries. This work took me up and down the coast, around Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii as far as Alaska I had access to some very remote and beautiful places. Although the work on the boat left little time for sketching, I took lots of photos and still use them as references today. I learned to paint by studying nature, photography, books and artists I admired. Nobody is really 'self taught'. There is nothing new under the sun after all, we are influenced by what we are exposed to. I try to practice my drawing everyday. I spent many years as well selling my work on Victoriia's beautiful inner harbour to the many tourists that congregated there. I belong to several environmental groups and believe we all have a responsibility for the careful preservation and stewardship of our natural world, especially in light of the rapid degradation of our most sacred spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them.
A small percentage of my art sales goes to enviromental charities.