About my work

Rich in possibility are the relationships between the natural world and the human spirit.  My work examines the often overlooked seemingly inconsequential elements in nature.

Purpose

I live in Fergus Ontario, overlooking the Grand River. This has inspired me to evolve my work and explore the relationship between the natural world and the human spirit in an abstract way.  

I examine and combine the concepts of the human body and the mythical nymphs of the spiritual world that exists in nature.  I look in riverbeds, water, forests, trees, birds and in particular I am drawn to the eagles that fly past my windows as they fish the river.  The river is the perfect vessel for the woman’s body and spirit and they take on a mythical quality as they combine on the panels.

I have a vision of the painting first, a concept of something particular, for example, the bond between mother and child.  Then it is shaped into the river and the forms evolve from there.  The painting is an evolution of my vision and the natural world around me.  The painting can be conceived as a woman first who takes on the persona of the river or vice versa. It tells the story of nature, the human spirit and our impact on each other.

 

Process

I work on birch panels, using acrylic paint, oil pastels and spray cans.  I pour, sculpt, draw, spray and layer the paint to create the depth and texture that I am looking for with each painting.  This process takes time as each element or layer gets added bit by bit to build up to the final product.  

My work focuses on the often overlooked elements in nature.  Focusing the eye on a very small and beautifully textural part of the natural world and working it up to be as though it is a large landscape painting.  Showcasing the texture and pattern that exists under our feet, as I explore the ancient rocks, lichens and plants at the ocean, from my home, on Fogo Island, Newfoundland.  You can feel and see the beautiful pattern, texture and colour that mother natures work has achieved on these rugged shorelines.

 

  • Mimosa - Celebrating Women’s Strength, Sensitivity and Sensibility Elora Centre for the Arts, Elora, March through May, 2024

    Summer Smalls Festival, Juried Art Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, July 2023

    ARTWRK Online Gallery, April Group Show, Rhythm & Flow, April 2023

    Square Foot Show, Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, September/October 2022

    Big Bold Risk, Juried Art Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, 2021

    A Taste of Fogo Island - Solo Exhibit, Toronto. 2020

    Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, Gift Shop and Gallery, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

    Collingwood Medical Centre, Collingwood, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

    Baker Tilly, Collingwood, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

    Pamper Me Day Spa, Collingwood, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

    March Fifteen Private Exhibition, Toronto, 2018

    tidalArt studio, Fogo Island, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

    Fogo Island Arts Weekend, Fogo Island, 2019

    Arts and Minds Canada, Show and Auction, Toronto, 2017, 2018, 2019, (on line) 2020, 2021

    Square Foot Show, Loft Gallery, Thornbury, 2017

    Blue Mountain for the Arts, Members Show, Collingwood, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

    Blue Mountain for the Arts, Juried Art Show, Collingwood, 2018, 2020

    Avenue Road Arts School Exhibit, Spazio Dell’Arte Gallery, Toronto, 2015, 2016

    ‘Artists 9’ Exhibition, Hanks, Toronto, 2015

  • Founder ‘Painting Fogo Island’ Co-hosted with Canadian Artist, Martha Johnson, 2016, 2017

  • School House Arts Collective, Elora

    The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, Collingwood

    The Elora Centre for the Arts, Elora

    The Artists Network, Toronto

  • Private Collections across Canada and the US