Welcome

This page is a taste of some of the series and themes I am currently working on or have explored and worked on in recent times.

Below is an explanation of how and why I have come to work on this series called 'DIGITAL'.  This is an area virtually at the back of my house, where if the imagination has time to wander, can take you to another magical place. 

Below is my love affair with ABSTRACTION. Each series may seem unconnected at first glance, but I believe they are inextricably linked, certainly in my psyche, and which I aim to give satisfaction and enjoyment.

Also, below is a sample of the ongoing LACE series, which was very exploratory and exciting to work on, where history plays a big part.  I also believe I have some connection with lace, with my english background and a family history of lace and watchmakers. 

If you have any comments or are interested in any of the works, please feel free to send me an email or complete the contact list.  Enjoy!

AVALON RESORT: http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/sydney/avalon-beach

CAREEL BAY

At the back of my house are wetlands and a mangrove swamp called Careel Bay.  I like to call this place ‘My Little Swamp’.  It is in this place I take my dog for runs every day.  This is my world.  Here, there are forests where the trees are encrusted with spiderwebs, sulphur permeates the swamp, where the night creatures leave their remnants of wrappers, empty cans etc. from their previous nights’ feast.  This is the story of Darcie et al.  She will experience many adventures, journeys through the woods and waters, she will come across many friendly and non-friendly creatures, and she will learn to be wise, swamp-wise, and continue her carefree and free-thinking life.  See images 'DIGITAL'

ABSTRACT

One of the series of work on this site explores the repetition of certain features of the face such as the eyes and teeth, with the aim of capturing, exploring and reconstructing them to signify something other and to take the subject to another level.  The outcome of the first drafts determined which way the work was to be pushed and pulled and by exploring the subject matter further.  Each work has an occurring theme such as a projectile or colour scheme.  See in images 'ABSTRACT'. Below is one of the works called 'POMEGRANATE' .

LACE

The impetus for the LACE series came from my interest in mechlin lace.  I am interested in the impact of art on fashion and fashion on art, especially the Roccoco era with its preoccupation of collecting, identifying and cataloguing of new plants and flowers. It resulted in fashion moving away from heavy fabrics of the Baroque to the light and fluid fabrics, and characteristics of asymmetry, naturalism and surface decoration. By painting, collaging, photo-transfer,  modelling paste, and textile elements , I have rendered realistic images of 18th Century costumes ambiguous and semi-abstract forms.

The work maintains a playful and experimental theme throughout, bringing  the garden into the figures, keeping them idealized and surnatural, aiming for the artist Antoine Watteau’s sensibility, honesty and delicate manner (of which he is a major influence - see appropriation of Watteau - painting in oil to scale).

http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/sydney