ARTIST'S PERSONAL STATEMENT

I first began painting in watercolour during early childhood, a time when every one of us responds openly to our natural creative and artistic instincts. Encouraged by my father, who was also keenly interested in watercolour, painting together became a cherished pastime through my early school years. I did not pursue my art, as I chose to follow another career path which demanded many years of study. However, what I had thought was my destiny was not to be, and the letting go of that dream was the most difficult and heartrending decision I have made. For a time I felt as if drifting at sea, without clear direction nor hope of charting a new course.

Time and fate worked their magic together and I began dabbling again with my artwork, tentatively at first with sketches and small studies, but the original flame was kindled once more. How true it is when one door closes, another opens. My life's journey has brought me seemingly miraculously to this island, and I have been touched deeply by this chance to rediscover and reunite with my first love and passion, watercolour painting. During the seven years I have been in Tasmania, painting has once more been a companion and solace. It feels like an awakening after so many years away. I am overcome by the urge to celebrate and express the joy of creation through the freedom of bold brushstrokes and washes of colour.

Watercolour is a very special and often challenging medium for painting. It uses the paper blank to reflect light and each layer of pigment makes its mark, whether you will it or not, but it is this luminosity of colour which makes a painting in watercolour so appealing. Watercolour demands that one whole-heartedly lives in the moment, its spontaneity and immediacy underlie the pure joy of creating for the sake of creation. I feel the spirit of unlimitedness and oneness with something greater than myself when I paint. For me, painting is a kind of meditation and supplication at the same time. Being able to paint again, and feeling the creative spirit flow freely is a gift and I look upon every day now as a blank piece of paper, a new beginning. This promise of hope and renewal is echoed in the beauty of the pristine wilderness on this island, and from this I have drawn inspiration for my latest works. Most recently, I have reinterpreted images from bushwalks and nature photography into paintings, some become abstract while others reveal a detailed glimpse of rock, bark, leaf or flower.

There comes a time in every artist's life when the fruit of creation becomes ripe and seeks to fall away from the vine. After a lifetime I am now ready to share my work openly with others. Some of my paintings adorn the walls of Shangri La at Glen Huon, along with works of my late father. I have thought much about what painting means to me, and the motivation behind releasing my work. For me, however, selling art is sailing into uncharted waters.

The joy of creation has been mine for the moment and if the outcome on paper brings pleasure to someone else, I am well content. However, the realities of the day make some form of exchange necessary and indeed desirable. My intention in opening my own studio is reflected in its name, Studio Karma, for I do believe that our every intention and action has the possibility to create a positive effect. I will donate a substantial portion of proceeds from the sale of my paintings to charities and causes for which I feel strongly. In this way, the positive energy from the creative effort will be continued through giving. For me, art is an act of creating and sharing, bringing into being and learning to let go, accepting one's gift and in turn, making it into a gift. This idea feels so right to me, and now I have come full circle in recognising the healing quality behind it. My intentions to help others will hopefully be fulfilled through the work of my true spirit. Studio Karma is my studio and gallery as well as home. The newly built dwelling is of a dramatically different character from the main house and lies further back on the 4 acre property with a delightful aspect over the pond. I will have two studio days a week for painting and hope to open the gallery room for exhibiting other artists' work during the course of the year.

A selection of my work, including those currently available for sale, is presented in the Studio Karma on-line gallery. Please feel free to browse through the images, which I hope will inspire and delight. I thank you for taking the time to share in my dream of Studio Karma, and may the creative spirit flow freely through you also.