My recent exploration of ink landscape painting has evolved through my tempoary relocation to Soldiers Point from inner Newcastle while recovering from several intense years of cancer treatment. Living by the beach with my Kelpie, Kikko, has profoundly changed the way I observe the landscape. The changing tides, shifting light, the constant chatter of birds, a resident koala, and expansive horizons have become daily sources of inspiration, encouraging me to slow down, look more closely, and reconnect with the natural environment.

Working primarily with ink on Wenzhou rice paper, I embrace the unique qualities of the medium. The paper's absorbent and unpredictable surface allows the ink to flow and settle in unexpected ways, creating a dialogue between control and spontaneity. This balance between intention and experimentation is central to my practice. While each painting begins with careful observation of the landscape, the process itself often leads to discoveries that could never have been planned.

I graduated with First class Honours from The Australian National University's Canberra School of Art in 2003, majoring in Gold and Silversmithing. In 2004 I was selected as a finalist in the Object Gallery (The Australian Design Centre) Australian Design Graduate of the Year. I then went on to established a product design studio and later taught Jewellery and Object Design at Enmore TAFE. In 2009, I began baking from home to supplement my income. What started as a small business grew into Uprising Bakery, which I opened in Maryville in 2013. Today, the bakery employs around 50 people across multiple locations.

Although my career took an unexpected direction, making has always been central to who I am. Building and leading Uprising Bakery demanded creativity, resilience, and a deep commitment to craftsmanship—qualities that continue to inform my art and design practice. As I step back from the day-to-day running of the business, I am embracing a new chapter that allows me to return to the studio and develop my artistic career with renewed focus.

My earlier painting practice was primarily figurative, exploring facial expression and the interplay of light and shadow. Returning to the studio after relocating and now living directly on the beach initially drew my attention to the wildlife on my doorstep. Over time, however, my focus expanded beyond the animals to the vastness of the surrounding landscape. Rather than depicting people or wildlife, I currently find myself responding to the rhythms of the natural environment and the quiet moments of observation that have become part of my everyday life.

I am fascinated by the expressive possibilities of ink—its ability to suggest atmosphere, texture, depth, and emotion through the simplest of marks. Rather than striving for photographic representation, I seek to distil the essence of a place, inviting viewers to engage with the landscape through memory, feeling, and imagination. My paintings reflect not only the physical landscape but also a personal response to change, healing, and the restorative power of nature.

I hope my work encourages moments of reflection and contemplation. In a world that often moves at great speed, I invite viewers to pause, notice the subtle beauty found in everyday places, and reconnect with the natural world. The coastline offers an ever-changing balance of permanence and impermanence, and I aim to express this through the fluidity and immediacy of ink.

My practice is one of continual observation, curiosity, and exploration. Each work represents both a personal investigation and an ongoing conversation with the flora, fauna, and landscape. Through my paintings, I hope to share not only the places that inspire me but also the sense of wonder, resilience, and quiet appreciation they continue to evoke.