My practice is deeply rooted in New Zealand’s rich landscape tradition. I draw inspiration from the dramatic forms of the Canterbury region, as well as from the legacy of artists, such as Petrus van der Velden, the early head of the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, and the Canterbury Regionalists of the 20th century. I also look to mid-century American abstraction, the simplified elegance of Canadian artist Milton Avery, and the luminous, meditative qualities in Rothko’s late works.
As a person of strong Christian faith, I approach the landscape from a deeply emotive and intuitive perspective. I aim to reduce the land to its most essential forms, allowing a more profound exploration of colour, shape, and spatial relationships. In my recent work, I apply thin veils of colour through a process of rubbing back and layering, often combining pastels with high-key underpainting. I’ve moved away from a naturalistic palette in favour of more vibrant hues, creating a heightened luminosity and complexity in the pictorial space.
I am currently represented by Wanaka Fine Arts Gallery in Southland–Otago and The Chambers Gallery in Christchurch.
The God who said, "Out of darkness the light shall shine!"
Is the same God who made His light shine in our hearts,
to bring us the Knowledge of God's glory,
shining in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Work History:
1987/88 - Evening tutorials with artist Mark Lander, Preparatory work for entry into UC Fine Arts Degree. 1989/92 - Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 1991 - Group exhibition, Fine Arts Gallery, University of Canterbury 1992/94 - Exhibition with potter, Philip Hadfield, The Cornerstone Gallery, The Arts Centre, Christchurch 1995 - Solo exhibition at The Celebration Centre, Christchurch - Commissioned oil Painting, St Silas Anglican Church. 1998/02 - Exhibited work over 4 years, The Arts Centre gallery 2000/02 - Exhibited work at Min Fine Art's Gallery, Merivale, Christchurch - Creative charity art auction for Ugandan ministries - Group Exhibition The CC, Christchurch 2004/05 - Group exhibition, The Look Gallery, Redcliffs, Christchurch 2005/10- Exhibited works at The Art Centre Gallery. 2006 - Women's painting tutorial, at The Lighthouse Art Studio, Christchurch 2009 - Initiated and tutored a 6 week drawing and painting class, Central Christchurch - Community Art tutorial for women, Aranui Primary school, Christchurch 2010 - Invited tutor, landscape painting tutorial, The CC, Christchurch 2011/19 - EQC contracting work, rebuilding residential and corporate properties after the Christchurch earthquake. 2018 - Commissioned work for private collector Work accepted for the cover of the Ngai Tahu quarterly magazine 2019/20 - Excursions into Southland and Canterbury to build a new body of work for exhibition - 2021/25 - Work currently being exhibited at Wanaka Fine Arts Gallery, Southland, NZ and is available for viewing at The Chambers Gallery, Christchurch, NZ