Artistic Approach:

My introduction to botanical art came through a chance encounter in Sydney in the late 90’s. I stumbled across  “The Shirley Sherwood Collection of Contemporary Art” exhibition being held at the S.H. Ervin Gallery in The Rocks and I was mesmerised by the beauty of the work.  Shirley Sherwood’s passion and drive for renewing interest in contemporary botanical art has been hugely influential for me and ultimately led to the discovery of the Botanical Art Society of NZ in the mid 2000’s.

I am always striving to find a balance between detail and scientific accuracy and the aesthetic quality of the painting. I often paint in a large scale format, as I love both the challenge of painting big as well the visual impact of detail and size. Painting on a bigger scale also creates plenty of time for reflection and it always amazes me that when the painting is going smoothly, I am so engaged with the painting process that everything else seems to fall away.

Affiliations:

Member: Botanical Art Society of NZ

Education:

Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Melbourne CAE, Melbourne University, Australia

Diploma of Travel Writing and Photography, NZ Institute of Business Studies

Certified Zentangle Teacher, Frankfurt, Germany

Exhibitions:

2023

Sept - Oct ‘Botanica 23’ - Te Huanui Art Gallery, Darfield

2020

“Exclusively Forged” Pumanawa Gallery, Arts Centre, Christchurch 

2019

“A Moment in Time” Fo GuangShan Buddhist Temple, Christchurch 
“100 Paintings in 100 Days”   Christchurch                   
“Botanica 2019” Chambers Gallery, Rangiora        

2018

“Ngai Tipu Taketake – Indigenous Flora”, Botanical Art Worldwide - Auckland Botanic Gardens, Wellington Botanic Gardens, Wellington, Millenium Public Art Gallery, Blenheim                           
“Botanica 2018”    BASNZ The Pumphouse,  Akaroa          `

2017

“Botanica 2017”    BASNZ  Selwyn Gallery, Darfield

2015

“The Big Show of Little Botanical Works”  Tin Palace, Lyttelton 
“Art in a Garden”  Hawarden,  North Canterbury

2014

“Canterbury Plains Florilegium”, BASNZ  Christchurch  Botanic Gardens,Christchurch  March 
“Canterbury Plains Florilegium”, BAZNZ  South Island Touring Exhibition

2013

“Botanica 2013”     BASNZ Canterbury Museum, Christchurch

2011

“Botanica 2011”     BASNZ  CoCA,  Christchurch (Cancelled due to earthquake)
“New Zealand Art Show”    Wellington

2010

“Botanica 2010”    BASNZ  CoCA, Christchurch

 2009

“Botanica 2009”    BASNZ   CoCA, Christchurch

 2008

“Botanica 2008”     BASNZ  CoCA,  Christchurch
DarfieldArt Week, Darfield                                                          

2007

DarfieldArt Week, Darfield  (Winner of Judge’s Commendation )  

2006 

DarfieldArt Week, Darfield                                                          

2005

“The Unveiling” Real Gallery, Auckland                                        

2004

“40th Annual Exhibition”, Ashburton Arts Society, Ashburton                

2003

“Fruit and Veg”, Selwyn Gallery, Darfield                                     

2002 

Darfield Art Week, Darfield                                                 

2001

“Colourful Characters” Selwyn Gallery, Darfield