My Journey with Art
My love of drawing began when I was very young — around the age of ten. I remember covering my school projects in pictures and colours, determined to make them as creative and exciting as possible. Art class was always my favourite subject.
One particular day stands out in my memory. I was flipping through a magazine, inspired by the models in their beautiful dresses. I decided to try drawing them, and to my surprise, I captured them better than I expected. That moment gave me the confidence to keep exploring my artistic side.
Throughout my teenage years, my passion for art only grew stronger. Whether it was drawing, painting, or learning about artists and their techniques, I was fascinated. I completed Art and Graphics as part of my high school certificate and dreamed of continuing to study Art at university. Life, however, had other plans, and that path didn’t eventuate.
As I moved through different careers and focused on raising my family, art quietly stepped aside. But it never left me.
In my early forties, I found my way back.
I’ll never forget the night I met Leanne Hutchinson from Upclose and Personal Studio. I had gone out on my own one evening — something brave for me at the time — and there was Leanne, sitting at the bar listening to Clint Wilson belting out some tunes on his guitar. We struck up a conversation, and the very next day she was hosting an open studio event. I couldn’t resist. The moment I walked into her space, I fell in love with both the atmosphere and her warm, encouraging personality.
That same week, I joined her weekly classes. Surrounded by a lovely group of artists, I learned so much — not only from Leanne but from the whole community. I had never painted in oils before, but under her guidance I discovered it was one of my favourite mediums.
Later, life brought me to the Bellarine Peninsula, in Victoria, Australia, where I was lucky enough to continue my artistic journey with the Barwon Heads Senior Citizens art group, led by their inspiring 95-year-old teacher, Kay Batty.
Today, I continue to develop my skills, always learning and growing. I dabble in lots of different mediums and love to try new things. I now have my own studio in Ocean Grove and some exciting plans for the future.
I can’t wait to share them with you all as we take this art journey together.
Welcome to my art life.
