My background in mechanical drafting and technical illustration has always influenced my artwork and I most enjoy creating fine detail paintings and drawings. As a lifelong learner with an Advanced Honours Certificate in Visual Arts from Mohawk College I have experimented with various media including coloured pencils, soft pastels, watercolour, acrylic and Chinese Brush Painting.
I love to hike and explore the woods near my home – always seeking to find the next unique plant, insect, bird or amphibian. These adventures, and my past work with environmental organizations, influenced my appreciation for the abundance of life around me and helped make me aware of the fragile beauty of the ecosystems that exists around Hamilton.
Life is so busy now we often don’t see what is in the world around us - we take these native species for granted. Over the last few years I have been focusing on the amazing variety of native species found in the Hamilton area and have completed 87 paintings to date. My series “Our Fragile Environment”, done using Chinese Brush Painting techniques and materials on semi absorbent rice paper, shares both the beauty and diversity of nature that (when we look) we all have – right in our own back yards. This project has provided me the opportunity to add my voice to the growing concerns around climate change and the risks to our natural environment as well as numerous chances to engage with the local community.
I will be incorporating these images and descriptions into an accessible online book that will help the community better appreciate and understand the amazing biodiversity in the Hamilton area. I have recently secured the funding necessary to build and host a website for this book however this funding is contingent on receiving funding from additional sources so I am continuing to seek grants to assist in this process.
As the current president of the Women’s Art Association of Hamilton (WAAH) my volunteer commitment reflects my artistic practice with the same desire to promote, support, and inspire individuals within the Hamilton area. I embrace WAAH’s current vision to have a thriving, inclusive organization which provides our members with interactive, impactful, and educational opportunities and I enjoy every opportunity to teach and encourage all artists, especially women, through a sustainable and supportive community.
