I have always enjoyed being creative. Over the years as I was busy building a career, travelling and raising my family I still found time for some creative pursuits. Mainly these were in the kitchen with decorating cakes for friends and family. I still really enjoy a 'cake challenge', however over the past 10-15 years I have discovered a passion for visual art and in particular Portraiture.
Whilst attending a tutored art class in 2004 I painted my first portrait of a Samburu dancer from a photo taken in Kenya 20 years earlier. Later, in 2010, whilst completing the Certificate of Art and Creativity at the Learning Connexion in Lower Hutt, I discovered a true passion for portraiture and life drawing. I suddenly realised why I lost interest and got so frustrated whilst trying to paint a still life or landscape - it just didn't hold my interest - Portraiture was my Passion!!
During my time at the Learning Connexion, I was introduced to the American Portrait artist Chris Saper. Through Chris's first book, 'How To Paint Beautiful Skin Tones' and her wonderful instructional DVD's I have taught myself portrait drawing and painting. However, learning form the books and DVD's can only go so far so, finally I realised a long held dream and attended Chris's Portrait Workshop in Prescott, Arizona in 2014. I learnt so much, met some wonderful artists and just thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the world of Portraiture. So much so that when the opportunity arose to return to Prescott again in 2015, I did so. Chris Saper is now a firm friend and valued mentor.
Over the past few years I have received commissions from both New Zealand and overseas. A popular commission are graphite and pastel drawings of young children. My Abstract nudes have also been popular, with 2 now residing in Baltimore in the USA. Recently I holidayed in India and now have begun a series of the beautiful faces I photographed there.
In April of 2017 I realised another dream by attending the Portrait Society of America's 19th Annual 'Art of the Portrait' Conference in Atlanta Georgia. What a week, complete immersion in portraiture. I met many of the wonderful artists that I have come to know and admire - Daniel Greene. Luana Luconi Winner, Anna Rose Bain, Richard Schmid to name a few. I attended demonstrations, discussions and, rather nervously, had a painting of mine critiqued by Daniel Greene!
Please take time to browse through the pages of my website, and thank you for visiting.
I take commissions for Oil and Pastel Portraits, Graphite Portraits, Pet Portraits and Abstract Nudes. Go to my Commissions Page to find out more.
Whilst attending a tutored art class in 2004 I painted my first portrait of a Samburu dancer from a photo taken in Kenya 20 years earlier. Later, in 2010, whilst completing the Certificate of Art and Creativity at the Learning Connexion in Lower Hutt, I discovered a true passion for portraiture and life drawing. I suddenly realised why I lost interest and got so frustrated whilst trying to paint a still life or landscape - it just didn't hold my interest - Portraiture was my Passion!!
During my time at the Learning Connexion, I was introduced to the American Portrait artist Chris Saper. Through Chris's first book, 'How To Paint Beautiful Skin Tones' and her wonderful instructional DVD's I have taught myself portrait drawing and painting. However, learning form the books and DVD's can only go so far so, finally I realised a long held dream and attended Chris's Portrait Workshop in Prescott, Arizona in 2014. I learnt so much, met some wonderful artists and just thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the world of Portraiture. So much so that when the opportunity arose to return to Prescott again in 2015, I did so. Chris Saper is now a firm friend and valued mentor.
Over the past few years I have received commissions from both New Zealand and overseas. A popular commission are graphite and pastel drawings of young children. My Abstract nudes have also been popular, with 2 now residing in Baltimore in the USA. Recently I holidayed in India and now have begun a series of the beautiful faces I photographed there.
In April of 2017 I realised another dream by attending the Portrait Society of America's 19th Annual 'Art of the Portrait' Conference in Atlanta Georgia. What a week, complete immersion in portraiture. I met many of the wonderful artists that I have come to know and admire - Daniel Greene. Luana Luconi Winner, Anna Rose Bain, Richard Schmid to name a few. I attended demonstrations, discussions and, rather nervously, had a painting of mine critiqued by Daniel Greene!
Please take time to browse through the pages of my website, and thank you for visiting.
I take commissions for Oil and Pastel Portraits, Graphite Portraits, Pet Portraits and Abstract Nudes. Go to my Commissions Page to find out more.