About the Artist

I have been painting for around 20 years under the inspirational tutelage of Glenn Demnar. Until recently, being employed as a full time teacher, painting was mainly an enjoyable pastime. My works would briefly adorn my walls, usually soon to be ‘acquired’ by friends and family. Although still loving the daily interaction with students, at the end of 2005 I decided to resign from my job of 23 years and pick up the brush full time.

I have always enjoyed experimenting with landscapes, principally of Australian natural environs. Lack of time and finances, however, often meant the subject matter would be inspired by memory or photographs. While living in Karana Downs in the far Western suburbs of Brisbane, however, I discovered the forestry trails of the Moggill State Forest and quickly became obsessed with exploring the different ecosystems of that beautiful area. The suburb is also situated on the upper reaches of the Brisbane River, much of which is still virtually untouched.

The combination of living near the river and frequent bushwalking has been the inspiration for my first exhibition, imaginatively entitled ‘Brisbane Bush and River’; many of the paintings can be viewed in the Gallery. I have continued experimenting with the land and riverscape genres (I'm quickly frustrated painting in one style) and hope my restlessness might have in some way captured at least some of the moods and varied life-forces experienced when immersed in the natural environs of Brisbane.

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