Acrylic and Glitter on Canvas

3.65m x 3.10m

I had been working on paintings about the Yarra River for the now published book “Yarra Birrarung” By eminent Historian Dr Judith Buckrich. Which features my works in the book and on inside front and back covers. I began to paint on large scale canvas drop sheets to express how majestic the Yarra River felt and looked like when we went on a reconnaissance boat trip on the Yarra. This got me into the theme of nature and my attraction to the natural environment was ignited again.

My love of the Kalenchoe Copper spoon plant was aroused when I saw its beautiful spoon shaped leaves and its muted colours of copper, olive, silver and browns. I bought my first plant when I went to support a new local plant shop called Calistags. It was part of the Renew Fitzroy St Kilda Pop Up Stores Campaign after Covid 19 hit Australia and especially in Victoria in 2020. At the start of the pandemic, I had opened my own Art Gallery and artist’s studio and enjoyed the liberty of flexible time and painting for my pure pleasure. My works were abstract and floral which was a shift from my urban landscape’s series.

The shift was a mixture of the life changes we experienced because of Covid. I walked daily in the Blessington Gardens in St Kilda which proved meditative. I took on a new role which was transitioning into acknowledging that my elderly mother needed more of our attention and I had to come to terms with this.

I wanted to spend more time with loved ones as a new priority in my life, as I realised, I was also getting older. Whilst in my new shop, I didn’t pressure myself as I was more relaxed so I could go in a direction to explore areas that had been on hold.

Coincidentally, my time at my Enza Benincasa gallery and studio in St Kilda had ended and a new direction started at the Storehouse in Inkerman St, St Kilda which was just setting up at the time. This gave me a time to settle and to redirect myself. However, I could not settle and thus this new series helped me stay on task and to focus.   

 I used to love swap cards when at school. My current works were influenced by these childhood swap cards, where a pussycat or a single flower in a vase seemed to be floating in a monochromatic colour background.

In many of my current works you will see the plants floating in the sky, symbolic of a saint or a deity high in the sky. Most of my works tend to exude my feelings and connection for the spirituality & mysticism of place and entity. This is shown by all the dots and halo effect in the works, as well as the addition of glitter.

Since being at the Storehouse, I have shared the fabulous space with artisans and artists where we share thoughts and ideas. Belinda Nailon the Ceramicist and I daily talk about our works, ideas and thoughts. We constantly touch on the topics of myths and legends that bring meaning to our lives. Coincidentally, we have both noticed that our works were remarkably similar in colour, tone and shape and we used a same thought processes and philosophy. We were wanting to incorporate our work somehow and work together. Thomas Burge helped kick this off, by offering to show our works in an exhibition together. Belinda’s new series looks at the moon and a new method of creating her ceramics vessels.

In my last work titled “The Copper spoon and the Moon” I have included the moon to initiate Belinda and my collaboration and is the breakthrough celebratory piece in my journey of transition. Thomas Burge commented when I explained to him what the process for my work was “They are a result of a renewal and settling process.” Which I can vouch for.

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