I have been exploring my origins or whatever the beginning of being an artist was for me. I promise not to go into how I won a prize for colouring in when I was 4.

34 years ago I painted this. Oils, 40 x 50 cm. Max Meldrum's 'Science of Appearances' was my flavour of the month at the time. I was very proud of this and I still like it.

15 years ago I was into still life and people.I'd discovered acrylics by then and was still painting about the same size. 31/2 years ago, in the cerificate 111 course, things like this happened.Acrylic, oil and watercolour, a bit smaller.

Then in first year things seemed to shrink or else expand. still pots and people but a little looser.Still oil and acrylic but I'd discovered charcoal and pastel.

Last year was VERY organic. Tim Maguire was the big influence even if I thought his very mechanical and technical way of producing his masterpieces was somehow cheating. I also finally grasped that accidents were often happy occurrences leading to quite exciting conclusions. Canvases were increasing in size and I'd reached the conclusion that oil paints were more trouble than they were worth.

This year I experimented with fabric grounds and impasto medium. I also used oils again but still think they are very annoying. I wasn't all that thrilled with the results but I am fond of the dame.

I saw the Turner to Monet landscape exhibition in Canberra at Easter and fell in love with the German landscape painters. I love their dense colour and strong shapes. Caspar David Freidrich was mind blowing.


James Guppy is a present favourite. I found his work on the internet and love it. It combines strength, graceful organic shape and wonderful colour - all I aspire to. I live in hope.