Biography
My youth...
I was born in East London, South Africa and one of 5 children. We grew up in a very nurturing environment and were exposed to the beauty of nature and the need to protect it. My brother showed me the joy of birdwatching, nature walks and the wonder in small things. Our family spent a month every Christmas renting a rustic holiday cottage on the beach, where we enjoyed fishing, swimming, collecting shells and exploring rock pools all day.
It was back to basics, and they are the best memories of my childhood. It was here that my love for creating began, with rainy days spent drawing and creating Christmas gifts from the items we foraged on the beach. I loved the patterns, textures and colours of the shells and rockpools, and experienced sensory overload… I was awed by the beauty of my surroundings. I loved being creative from an early age. I made booklets of colour explorations and was fascinated with drawing, especially horses and people. Creating illustrations in my schoolbooks was a highlight and it was no surprise when I chose art as a High School subject. I found Art History fascinating, and it influenced my view of art and the important role of artists, past and present. Between ballet and piano lessons, I drew every minute I could.
My studies and awards…
At the end of my final year of school, I was surprised to be advised not to choose art as a career, as it was seen as unsustainable at the time. So, I decided to be an Art Specialist Teacher, which meant 4 years of study in Cape Town.
My Art Specialist training was very intensive, and I blossomed. We covered all media and disciplines such as Drawing, Painting, Textiles, Calligraphy, Book Illustrating, Printing, Clay Work, and Sculpture. To my surprise, I received top marks(First Class) and the Barry Gerber Memorial Prize for ‘realisation of potential’. My clay sculpture was gifted to the College Rector from the Art Department, and years later, my works were still being displayed in the foyer.
It was at this time that I had my first gallery sale. My painting was being framed, and the gallery owner had displayed it in his gallery, ready for me to collect. A passing collector insisted on purchasing it. After trying to dissuade the buyer, the gallery owner approached me. Of course, I agreed and then celebrated! My confidence grew in leaps and bounds.
My career…
Over the next nine years, I was the Art Specialist Teacher at four Primary Schools, where I taught 600+ students a week. I loved the spontaneity, inquisitiveness and joy they showed in being creative, and enjoyed using my creativity to inspire them. I was also asked to mentor college art students who were training to be Art Specialist teachers, and this giving back was especially rewarding for me.
During my first year of teaching, I was approached to teach adults for night art classes at a local college. Here, I came into contact with adults from various professions and fields who followed their passion for artmaking in their spare time. It inspired me to do the same. My mother, an amazing artist who painted seascapes and floral still life in oils, encouraged me to develop my own art.
I joined a pottery studio, started painting in oils and watercolours, illustrated a book and joined the local Art Society. I dreamed of starting a creative side hustle, but it was difficult at the time as I had a family to look after. I started teaching drawing and calligraphy to adults part-time and even did a few commissions. It was at this time that our growing family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand.
New Zealand…
I continued to teach art at a primary and intermediate level, but still desired to follow my own artistic path. After a number of work transfers, we finally decided to build a purpose-built art studio. For 7 years I tutored art students in my studio after teaching at school. It was very rewarding and a source of joy, but it did not give me any time to paint as I had hoped to do!
When I could during the school holidays, I began painting in acrylics. They were mostly landscapes inspired by places on our trips away, and for which New Zealand is so famous. My sister and I also went on a painting retreat with Dale Elliot, a well-known South African artist, whilst holidaying in South Africa, and learnt how to effectively combine acrylics with oils. I pursued my love of drawing by participating in Life Drawing classes at the University of Canterbury, as well as joining the Life Drawing Group at The Arts Centre in Christchurch. It was at this time that the earthquakes hit, and sadly, the centre was closed due to damage.
My mother was continuously nagging me to stop teaching and develop my art with the goal of holding an exhibition. At the time, we had three children to support, time was scarce, and so was money, so it was too difficult. I have a deep sense of regret that I did not reach that goal in her lifetime, as I would have loved to have seen her experience that joy with me!
Australia…
After nineteen very happy years in New Zealand, my husband was transferred to Brisbane, Australia. Leaving our two daughters in NZ to complete their university studies, we moved with our son, who was just entering high school. My art took a back seat once more as I became a homemaker and taxi to all his sporting and music events. Art teaching positions were like hens’ teeth, so I did class relief teaching for the Queensland Government and Brisbane Catholic Education until after COVID. However, I have now allowed my teaching registration to lapse and decided it is time to finally focus on developing my own art career.
It has been a daunting prospect getting up to speed with the latest technology, online marketing and selling platforms, and business requirements, but I am now well on my way to finally having the freedom to create and express, and put myself out there for the world to see. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by Morten Bay’s many galleries and close enough to Brisbane city centre to enjoy the art culture it has to offer. This allows me to keep up with the latest trends, be exposed to other artists and view current gallery exhibitions showcasing the best and latest art. I have joined the Royal Queensland Art Society as well as the Redcliffe Art Society to surround myself with the wonderful local art community and to further my goal of participating in exhibitions.
This is now my time to shine, and I am so excited about what the future holds!
Exhibitions
2025 June, RQAS Members Annual Exhibition, Petrie Terrace Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
2025 May, RAS Art Exhibition of Excellence, Redcliffe Art Gallery, Moreton Bay, Qld
2025 April, Finalist, All Creatures & Wild Things, Petrie Terrace Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
2025 April, RAS Members’ Exhibition, RAS Gallery, Moreton Bay, Qld
Awards
2025 Third Prize, RAS Members’ Exhibition, Qld
