Your Invited~Banquet of Colour Exhibition

Lately I've been revisiting some of my early paintings..maybe its because I'm teaching workshops on painting with some of the techniques, maybe its because I'm starting to acknowledge where I've been creatively in the past....(rather than trying to sweep it under the carpet thinking that I need to move on). And be in it, of it, accepting that's all part of who I am and where I am today.

Well here it is in all its glory, my first solo exhibition, 2004. Not long after I started painting I threw myself into a solo exhibition. Naivety goes a long way and I was motivated, full steam ahead.

Promo photo for local paper

I created paintings, furniture (with the help of my cabinet maker hubby) a 8 seater table, a buffet table, shelving unit and ceramics...this is where my painted fridge made its debut.

So you're warmly invited to have a look through my "Banquet of Colour" exhibition. I've up loaded all the photos from the exhibition here ( previously I only had a few on my website)...grab a glass of wine or cup of tea and come for a wander through.

And I shall happy acknowledge all that I am and all that I have been.

Boutique Beauties

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Stardust Girl

I have just uploaded some mixed media collage artworks to my etsy shop. Enjoy your browsing....

Mothers Cradle

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"Mothers Cradle"

This is the piece that came together from a family's Christening outfits. A commission piece that scared me just a little, cutting up preciousness. But I am so thrilled at how it evolved. My original idea was a type of nest...then it grew more into a cradle nestled into a blossom branch. The colours, fabrics, raw silks, buttons and hanging threads were divine to work with. There was even a little label with 'Pretty Originals' as the brand and I felt that fitted perfectly.

Em is thrilled with it. As perfect timing would have it, 'Mothers Cradle' arrived at their home a day before their last born childs (is there a better word for that?) birthday. Almost like a celebration piece for this beautiful family.

I am so thankful I had this opportunity to create such a meaningful artwork. Thank you Em for having faith in me.....

Positive Space

My painting workshops ladies had brushes in hand and gel medium up to their elbows...well almost. We explored a great painting technique where we looked at positive and negative space with collaged as the base.

Some great paintings in progress....

This is one of those techniques that doesn't come together until the very end. A great exercise in trust, but the results are definitely worth it. The layering of collage materials adds so much depth to the painting and draws the viewer in to discover more about what is going on in the painting.

Amazing artworks by the end of our day...well done girls!

fun arcade workshop

Have a look at the fun we got up to in Sundays workshop! One of the journal pages we created was about our creative footprint (rather than our eco footprint) and the impact our creativity has....the girls really got alot of laughs painting their own foot!

I'm so happy they all jumped on board for this creative page....

Diana came up from the Gold Coast for the weekend and I feel very humbled that she travelled quite a few hours to include this workshop into her weekend.

Here is the table just before lunch. The creative materials kept spreading until the table was almost overflowing....I feel that's a good sign that everyone is in the moment of their journal page. Here's some more photos of the workshop.

And a very happy group at the end of the day. Everyone completed 4 journal pages...awesome creating! Especially to those newbies who had never journaled before. Thank you for being such willing creative adventurers!!

Hearts everywhere...

Ashana's Heartspace

Messy hands for everyone on Tuesday! What fun.... paint was being splattered all over the place



Kaye really got into throwing paint around...and it totally agreed with her creation.

Kayes Heartburst

We used paint straight from the tubes, tea and dipped our hands into oozy, flowing paint....deliscious

Linda enjoyed playing with bright contrasting colours. Allowing the painting to do its own thing and knowing when to stop can be the most challenging part of painting this way.

Heart time

My demo painting was on a canvas that needed a make over so I left parts of it to peep through.

Nothing better than hands covered in paint....

Messy hands

Today I'm teaching at the Flora Crt Studio. It is such a beautiful spot.....filled with palms and luscious green grass and the studio looks out onto the garden, with wide glass sliding doors that allow the light in. It is truly a magical spot and I feel blessed to be teaching there.

Painting workshops are on today's menu. My ladies shall be creating paintings in this style.This process is very hands on, so we shall have hands full of paint. good messy fun!

stepping outside the zone

Anne-Maree

Some time ago I met Anne-Maree. She's a dynamic energetic woman who loves a bit of action.One of her 'things' is to dare others to step outside the comfort zone and runs regular women's retreats, both pampering and adventure .

Last weekend I had the privilege to meet some of her ladies and do a 4 hour journaling workshop with them.The essence of the workshop was about finding out a little more about "Who I am". Had a lovely morning. These ladies stepped out of their zone in a creative way....why to go girls!

Caution to the wind

one of the things I love to do is to create commissions for others...i know sometimes this can be a tricky field to create in, but it gives me so much joy to create artwork with meaning. What you are looking at here is the beginning of a third commission for a beautiful English family that bravely moved to Australia for a change... These little garments are the children's christening gowns. Em has courageously entrusted these special pieces to me, to be transformed into an artwork.

The essence of the piece is to be about Mothers Love.


I have to admit I have been putting this piece aside for sometime, feeling very precious about what I have been asked to cut up. But I can escape this no longer....it is time to begin. So bravely with scissors I shall begin the transformation. Do I need to have another cup of tea before I start snipping? Ok, now I need to throw caution to the wind and just make a start. Do I sound like I am talking myself through this one? Oh Damn it Nic, Just Do It!

some crazy things I've painted

With some 'things' coming out of storage this bar fridge resurfaced. I painted with much enthusiasm a few years ago...it started out completely pink and my hubby kind of freaked out, so the design evolved.The fridge is fully functional and was part of my first solo exhibition. Love that unexpected element....my exhibition was far from just paintings on the walls. My thoughts began to spiral and recall many other crazy inspired things I've got my brush to.....

A commissioned piece that was very special. A pregnant belly cast...it is now hanging in Mia Graces room.

A chair that now hangs out with many other arty chairs at the Chocolate Cottage Cafe.

A mail box for an ex Texan, now Australian. I'm suer the mailman wouldn't have missed delivering mail to this one!

I had a burning desire to paint doors, so our children's preschool was only too happy to offer their doors for painting.

Ohhhh I've just thought of some more.....Some murals and .....I was commissed to paint and mosiac a toilet room, I'll see if I can find those pics for the next post.

Inspiration on the Palette

My painting skills are getting dusted off with a new series of workshops kicking off on the 13th October in the Hervey Bay area.I like fast results when I'm painting so the aim is to create and complete a canvas each day in the 6 week series of workshops.It is totally possible to do this with ease and grace and have a great painting at the end of the day. Here are the details for you to have a look at Inspiration on the Palette Workshop.

About 5 years ago when I started painting, I was creating/painting on canvas daily...it was an unquenching passion, with many paintings flying out of my studio. I was eating, sleeping, dreaming of painting and was dedicated to showing new artwork everytime I exhibited in an artshow. Along the way I discovered many techniques, developed my own and created a huge amount of art. Most of these I have sold, some I wasn't ready to part with....now I am ready to let them go to new homes.

There are collections of my paintings for your viewing online here. Click on each individual image for more details. if you feel a special connection with one of my paintings..... if it feels right please email me and we can go from there. It is time for these paintings to go to people who truly appreciate them.