The Blue Mountains were such a contrast from living in inner city Sydney when I first moved to Katoomba, over 10 years ago. I was influenced by living in the Mountains, being surrounded by nature, rather than bitumen and concrete. The dramatic effects of weather patterns in the place I live, the airy, changeable and ambiguous atmosphere and mood of the Mountains constantly inform my work.
The process involves placing layers of transparent and opaque colours consecutively to build a deep sense of space and luminescence. With each layer there is a history in the process that’s recorded. It involves a distillation until they are made clear. It has its own logic, of knowing when it’s right.
The works speak to the numinous – invoking spiritual experience, the experience of being transported by music, creating mood, emotion and memory. I relate my work to the experience of music, in that it is abstract, affects people psychologically, and induces different mood states.
My intent is to create something using abstract means to invoke an authentic spiritual, emotional and psychological response in the viewer.
The work invites the audience to bring their imagination to bear, to provide their personal interpretation and experience. In this way, I strive to make my work open a discussion, not tell a story with a defined beginning and end.
2017 brings change with new beginnings in my life. With the birth of my son, I moved to Brisbane to be closer to extended family. I have taken an interest in painting some of the beautiful landscapes here in South East Queensland such as the Darling Downs and North Stradbroke Island. I hope to continue my practice after spending time settling down with my new family.