about me...........
I am married to Andrew, with an adult son Luke and a teenage daughter Kahlia. I also have a daughter Kim and son Leigh from my previous marriage. Kim has blessed me with a granddaughter Kaitlin [13] and grandson Tyler [3], they live in Perth - waaaaay too far away!
My painting experience started when we lived in Canberra in the ACT, 1995. My best friend Susi Cook taught Folk Art at her house and nagged me for sometime to come along and have a go. I resisted for a long while until a family crisis sent me into a tail spin! Being anywhere else but home sounded like a good idea - so off i went to learn how to paint.
Sue will tell you that i was a pain of a student cos i whinged a lot and refused to paint anything too difficult. Oh how i wish i had listened to Sue's advise to branch out and learnt how to paint beautiful roses just like her! I am STILL trying and failing to paint that perfect rose!
5 years later we moved to Melbourne and i landed in the lap of Kathy Prestegar. Who would have guessed that she was the current President of the Victorian Folk Art Society! I was humbled - being taught by the Grand Poobah!
Kathy invited me into the world of traditional painting, and i even LIKE some of it, taking me down the path of other styles of painting. Soon i couldn't get enough time to try it all...................... i have decided that i will have to be reincarnated to have any chance of trying everything!
Needless to say - of course i became a member of the Victorian Folk Art Society.
With another move we found ourselves coming full circle and returning to our home town of Echuca, in the Victorian country. I felt i was confident enough to start teaching. I taught a couple of classes in Melbourne before we left, and then i began holding classes in my home studio in Echuca.
2003 I travelled every month to Melbourne and undertook the Society run Training Development Programme which is designed to introduce participants to all types of painting styles, techniques and products. Lots of homework and long days learning - but loved every minute of it! I highly recommend the course.
I am a Helping Artist for DecoArt.
I have had projects published in Handmade magazine on 2 occassions which was quite exciting! I design my own pattern packs which are available for sale.
I have participated in a day seminar with David Jansen [son of Jo Sonja] in Melbourne, February 2004. This workshop was to introduce his Traditions painting system.
In February 2007 i participated in a 5 day seminar with David Jansen studying his Traditions Teaching Techniques and Education System. As a result of this attendance i am now a Traditions Teacher.
I am a member of the Echuca/Moama Artists in Echuca and have items exhibited and for sale in the Alton Gallery.
I am currently working with Kathy to conduct painting weekends in the country for the country people. We held our inaugral weekend October 2006! Due to its success we have continued to bring these painting weekends every April and October. Our past weekends have been titled:
FAWLTY TOWERS FROLIC - OCTOBER 2006.
FAWLTY TOWERS FRIGHT NIGHTS - April 2007.
FAWLTY TOWERS BELLS & BALLS - October 2007.
FAWLTY TOWERS HEATHCOTE HOEDOWN - April 2008.
FAWLTY TOWERS NAGS & HAGS - October 2008
Our next weekend is April 17th - 19th named FAWLTY TOWERS "T" PARTY!!
VACANCIES FOR WEEKEND AND DAY VISITORS ARE AVAILABLE - so if you are thinking about it - i suggest you dont hesitate! Contact us now!!!!
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