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One of the biggest pleasures of creating art is having a home filled with spirit and soul. Living with the finished pieces, (mine and the work of others), makes a home special and unique.
- Interviewed by Lesley Wilkins
Q. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START PAINTING?
In public school. Other kids had normal children's books but I treasured and collected coffee table books about Canadian art. I loved art from an early age and wanted to learn.
Q. TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST PIECE THAT YOU WERE REALLY HAPPY WITH.
I did a still life drawing when I was in grade 5. There was a some fruit, a vase and an owl, I think. That's when I discovered that I could draw. My work was on display for everyone to see. I was so encouraged! I thought 'hey that's something I can do'. After that I’d say it was in highschool when my work made the yearbook. You always knew you had done something special when your work was selected for the yearbook..
Q. WHAT MEDIUM DO YOU WORK IN PRIMARILY?
I'm a mixed media artist but mainly use acrylic, watercolour, pastel, marker, ink, and offcuts of scrap metal.
Q. DO YOU HAVE FORMAL TRAINING?
Yes, I attended NSCAD University in Halifax as well as Fanshawe College
Q. WHAT DOES THE PROCESS OF MAKING ART DO FOR YOU? OR HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?
It's a part of my spiritual being. Creating art brings balance into my otherwise chaotic and busy life. I need to create. If I don't get some time in the studio I get grumpy.
Q. ARE THERE ANY RECURRING THEMES IN YOUR WORK?
Cityscapes and landscapes. In my work I love to play with the shapes of cities, buildings, people living in boxes, balanced against the shapes of nature. I want my work to be aesthetically pleasing, alluring. People who know me easily recognize my work.
Q. HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED TO START A NEW PIECE?
I'll often work on 5 or 6 pieces at one time, creating one quick body of work to start from then branching off from that initial piece. Knowing that there's a show or tour approaching...deadlines motivate me.
Q. WHERE HAS YOUR WORK BEEN SHOWN?
My work is in homes across Canada, in England, California and other US states, but my shows are generally in the Greater Toronto Area.
Q. WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?
Annually at the Uxbridge Studio Tour, at our home studio (upon appointment), and select juried art shows.