As a fine painter, I try to create artwork that is intrinsically unique and engaging. Throughout my paintings, there’s a telling sensitivity to my observations of the human spirit, which lingers for the viewer to ponder over.

I was born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, and later moved to Melbourne where I have lived, for the most part, near the Mornington Peninsula.

A childhood fascination for drawing, developed into a serious interest in painting, in the early 2000’s! This invariably led to a number of oil painting short courses, and oil painting workshops at various tertiary institutions and artist societies, during this time.

In 2005, I commenced formal tonal realism classes with Fiona Bilbrough (a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society) with whom I was tutored in still life, portraiture and landscape painting. During this time, I also received tuition from John Bredl, painting both plein air and in the studio, concentrating mainly on impressionistic landscapes and seascapes. This ‘mentored education’ with Fiona and John, continued for approximately six (6) years.

In 2009, I started exhibiting my artwork in art shows, in and around Melbourne and country Victoria, winning my first award for ‘Best Emerging Artist in show’ at the 2010 Yea Rotary Art Show.

In 2012, I retired from full-time teaching (of 32 years) to concentrate, more or less, on full-time fine art painting.

In 2013-2014, I attended contemporary painting classes, tutored by contemporary artist, Kerry Anne Sullivan.

In 2014, I travelled to New York and Los Angeles to study the works of the American Abstract Expressionist painters from the 1940s & 1950s, and the painters of the Bay Area Figurative Movement of the 1940s -1960s.

Whilst my initial art education began with traditional and impressionist influences, my current practice is a more expressionistic approach to painting; primarily inspired by the American expressionists and figurative painters.

In 2014-15, I commenced work on a series, broadly titled, ‘Private Thoughts’. This body of work, primarily depicted gestural figures on colourful non-representational backgrounds. I started exhibiting work from this series, in 2015. Since then, the ‘Private Thoughts’ series has continued to evolve and develop into an intriguing and engaging subject matter.

My works are in held in private collections in Australia and overseas. An award winning acquisitive work is held in the Bass Coast Shire Council, Council Art Collection.

Art Awards

2023	Highly Commended	Knox Art Show
2023	Best Landscape	Daylesford Art Show
2023	Highly Commended	Camberwell Art Show
2023	Best Oil Painting	Mornington Art Show
2022	Best Oil Painting (under $1,500)	Whitehorse Art Show
2022	Highly Commended	Mornington Art Show
2018	Best Non-Traditional Painting	Camberwell Art Show
2017	Best Contemporary Painting	Grand Art Show (Berwick)
2016	Best Contemporary Painting	Bayside Art Show
2016	Highly Commended	Grand Art Show (Casey/Cardinia)
2015	Highly Commended	Camberwell Art Show
2015	Best Painting ($800-$1,400)	St Kevin’s College Art Show
2014	Commended	Chelsea Rotary Art Show
2014	Highly Commended	Bright Autumn Art Show
2014	Highly Commended	Korumburra Rotary Art Show
2013	Highly Commended	Bright Autumn Art Show
2013	Highly Commended	Korumburra Art Show
2012	Highly Commended	Portland Art Show
2012	Best Pair	Warrnambool Art Show
2012	Highly Commended	Hobsons Bay Art Show
2012	Highly Commended	Inverloch Art Show
2011	Winner	Bass Coast Acquisitive Art Exhibition
2011	Best Artist (Bass Coast Art Award)	San Remo & Phillip Island Rotary Art show
2010	Highly Commended	Chelsea Rotary Art Show
2010	Best Emerging Artist	Yea Rotary Art Show

Contact: Email: spartan8642002@yahoo.com.au Mobile: 0437 620 231