I live in Albury and love to collage.
My art practise focuses an analogue collage and hand stitched textiles.
My themes circle around the domestic, the natural world, worlds of whimsey and environmental issues.
The genesis of a work may arise from a scrap of colour or texture, thoughts arising from a discussion, an artwork or the world about me. I am inspired by much of what I see and the thought arises … “I could”. I also need to reel myself back in and say “…but I don’t have too.”
Continuing investigation and learning are essential for me to continue to grow and establish where I want to take my artwork. I struggle with a constant push pull when I start thinking about a series as there is much to explore in terms of technique, subject matter and message. I explore and learn by playing. Play is not limiting and leads to discovery. Of late it is continued research explored through play that has helped me resolve where I want my art to go.
I am not formally art educated which is a bonus in many ways. It means I am not constrained by what is the ‘right way’ of doing something. It frees me up and allows me to work at an intuitive level.
The act of cutting, tearing, ripping, gluing and stitching takes me outside of myself. Through it I can find voice to memories, happiness, comfort and distress. My art practice is essential to my wellbeing.
I try to work sustainably and, as much as practicable, reuse and repurpose materials. I through op shops and recycling centres.
Mixing with other creatives is a high point of the day for me. I belong to a number of groups – Pop Up Collage Club, Embroiderers Guild Vic, Connected by a Thread and Gateway Gallery, Wodonga.
I am an experienced workshop facilitator and have run workshops privately and for City of Wodonga, City of Albury and at Beechworth Winterwords Festival.
I exhibit including regularly and had work selected for display in the City of Wodonga in 2022 and 2024