It has been quite an intense few weeks getting the artworks for the upcoming event that is called The Art of Dining. I was invited to exhibit 12 artworks at Mister Bianco. I created 7 new artworks that I will be taking down to Melbourne with me. Chef Joe Vargetto is creating five courses in response to the artworks and I am so curious to find out how it all goes. The dinner will be on Tuesday 22nd Oct. One of the courses, will be in the dark. A blind tasting. I have a painting The Blind Leading the Blind which I am so delighted can be part of this. Then there are the works inspired by my feeling of just wanting to disappear into the ocean, a series of sketches I did in 2012. How appropriate I can use them to bounce off and create a new series of three works from. Actually I made four. The Calling, 90 x 80cm, oil on canvas. We think we know who we are. But sometimes, that identity can feel like it's keeping us in a place that no longer inspires us. This work is a story of transformation. To shift, she listens deeply. The promise that she will become her self, is like a whisper on the breeze. The translucent bird calls her and the bird, which is a voice from the past, lets her go. Immersion, 90 x 80cm, oil on canvas. She ventures into the ocean and experiences that exhilarating feeling of the wave crashing against her Painting water is quite a challenge and so capturing the fluid nature of the water, with a directional force was my intention.The ocean is a metaphor for our deeper, subconscious selves. This is where our truth lies, inside the quiet mind. The Ocean Becomes Her, 90 x 80cm, oil on canvas. A metaphor for unity, this vibrant painting is about joy, delight and being at one in your own space. A fish in water is always in it's element. Her colours mirror the sky. Mother and Child, 90 x 80cm, oil on canvas. A tender moment. A mother gently cradles her child. The flowers are bright and abundant to show their delight. Rising, 90 x 89cm, oil on canvas. The figure rises, floating in a glorious sky. As if free from the weight of thoughts, desires and worry. I marvel at the freedom of birds and imagine what it must feel like to fly. This work shimmers, the warm colours thickly painted creates the sensation of a solid space yet the figures soar. Out of the Fire, 60 x 50cm, oil on canvas. This tries to capture the tumult of nature, by the recent bushfires that were burning up in Queensland. A kangaroo resolutely moves from the burning landscape towards a safer place. I wanted to acknowledge the movement, beauty and resilience of our natural wildlife who live in such harsh conditions. While She Waits, 50 x 60cm, oil on canvas. She sits quietly. She waits, undisturbed by the busyness around her. #MisterBianco #Artexhbition

I wake up early here. The sun shines into my face and there's no getting back to sleep. It rained yesterday, loudly and with sparks. The cracks from the heavens are bone chilling. I surveyed my garden, the new plants smiling and it makes me happy too. I've always wanted to be able to plant a garden and be around to watch it grow. There are a few events happening here which brings a skip to my step. Attending the Digital Hub at Peregian Beach. Meeting loads of switched on, motivated and happy to share digital insiders. I wanted to know about social media as an artist, how much about myself can I safely put out there and still balance it with being available. My awareness of the data, my personal expressions, the moment I click upload, goes to a field that will be available to someone else and then that information is manipulatable. But only I can decide that for myself. Then there is the weeding with the Noosa Bush Regeneration Group I go along to on a Thursday. Who'd a thought, pulling weeds could be so cathartic and playful. But I have made such good friends with the folks that also go along, and one thing I now experience as a singleton, is the only way I'm going to get that connection is by getting out there. On Saturday, off to Boreen Point to attend the opening of Floating Land. A Noosa Art Exhibition where Art is immersed within the environment. It was a very relaxing and pleasant day. I saw a few familiar faces, which always add a deeper dimension to being somewhere. The artworks where near or in Lake Cootharaba, and it was so beautiful. Lyndon Davis and three dancers held the best Corroboree I've attended. He was so full of life, stories, anecdotes, quips and just so confident. #NoosaBushRegeneration #FloatingLAnd #Noosa #Artsitstudio

The Aftermath of the Noosa Open Studios.... what a whirlwind. All that lead up, organisation, concentration, painting and then it was upon us. I had some really interesting and engaging conversations from all the lovely people who dropped by the studio. Apparently my floor was a hit but that's okay, I'll not be changing my medium to concrete just yet. But I will keep it in mind. But the best news is, the studio/gallery will be open on Sundays from 10am - 4pm unless otherwise stated for any interested folks to drop by and say hello and see if anything is happening on the easel. I look forward to saying hello. #studioshow #Artsale #studioopen

It's a miracle. When the impossible becomes possible.. the feeling is otherworldly. But she exists and arrived, with 5 days before the opening of Noosa Open Studio. The Pine Avenue Studio will be open over the next two weeks, from 10 – 4pm, so if you are interested to visit you are most welcome. I have a collection of current works and older works. A few smaller works and some larger ones. I respond to the unfolding of my experiences, be they actions I encounter or feelings that arise and seem to need capturing in an image. I have felt the departure of my daughter, a good adventure for her but I do feel her absence, and the departure to the underworld of my dear old white cat, Meeka. She keeps appearing in the works and I welcome her. Then there is the sunshine, the blue skies, the green hued ocean and the plentitude of birds that flock around and keep me highly amused. All these recent 'new' events filter past my consciousness and tell me their own story. The opening of the Noosa Open Studio is on from Friday 16th August until Sunday 25th from 10 – 4pm. Please contact me if you would like to visit the gallery during the week. I am mostly here and happy to see you if you want to drop by. If you are interested in visiting the other studios, please visit www.noosaopenstudios.com.au for more information. Some new works available are sure to delight.

On Friday 26th July I attended the opening of the Qld University Art Museum Exhibition, Unlearning. I had been delighted to learn that one of my paintings, "Watching My Life Go By" 2000, which had been purchased for their collection was being included in their Workshop show. I drove to Brisbane, and after meeting up with a couple of dear old friends I arrived at the venue around 6pm. To my confusion, I saw a long queue and I thought that there must be a sporting event on the same time. When I entered the building, there were even more people and then I realised that all these hundreds were here for the show. I managed to find my painting, it was upstairs among. There it was! I hadn't seen it for over 20 years. I was so warmed inside. I spoke to a few people, and the response to the work was very positive and affirming. It belonged here and, to be acknowledged by my peers was so brilliant after so many years of feeling like an outsider. Just this experience, opened a door inside me. so you never know how an event nearly 20 years ago could appear in your life in such a positive way in the now. The Qld University had actually bought two of my works, the other one is "Caught in the Middle' 2000. I wonder if I'll see that one again..

Rising Tide. This work speaks to the role and meaning of my art practice by expressing the different states of mind that being an artist can provoke. One is both outside, observing and reflecting the world, and yet attuned to an internal landscape that one is also trying to express. The character that is contained within the structure is the embodiment of that mindset. She feels both separate yet desires to connect. The filament that separates her is ephemeral, described as the mesh of fine dots that suggest a solid form and yet is an illusion too. Painting is the ‘language’ that facilitates the movement from the internal to the external, makes the imagined, ‘real’. Inspiration is found in many different ways, but is described by the light that shines from the orb above, offering her ‘insight’ which she looks up towards. Making art is part of my core, and this structure in which she exists, describes this core. Set against the larger sense of self, it is bright, alive and magical. Making art can be a solitary affair. The ladder that rests against the wall suggests that she longs to venture out to make connections. Sometimes it seems impossible. The bird, a symbol of freedom, wisdom and vulnerability watches from a distance, reminding her by its silent presence that all these aspects of ourselves are important if we are to truly connect and express ourselves. My paintings are full of colour; colour to evoke feelings, to embody states of mind, to free us from the ‘concrete’ that surrounds us. My paintings also express metaphorical and psychological intent. The subject matter is emotional on a personal level, but at the same time expresses feelings of a universal consequence. I have, over the period of three decades, worked on an exacting and rigorous search for self, combined with a quest to create a world of dream and reflection. The work explores transience and transformation, with the riddle of identity at its core. #Bird #Idea #painting

I never anticipated what I would have to give up to have a studio. I have me here, unspoken, unspeaking for most of the time. I'm blessed that I have found the company of three lovely women, but the aspects of the life that I had in Melbourne is sometimes overwhelming in sadness and loss and I never imagined I would feel this so acutely. I had created a place there; a good income which gave me choices, my children nearby, my cat, my good neighbours, cinemas, cafes and writers and friends. I walked away from it all, because I wanted a studio in the sun. Maybe soon there will be a studio and out of this space paintings will arise. Hard to Sleep with all the Howling, oil on canvas, 102 x 88cm, 2019

The Torn Chrysalis I’ve done what I could and yet the chrysalis grew, I curled up inside, all around me it drew. What made me itch and crave for the sun? Perhaps the roar of the waves. But in truth all I really craved was the warmth of another’s Breath on my cheek. I stretched and then came the tear and with it an ache. An ache from the sense that I know what I have, that once I cross the invisible divide, I will have nowhere to hide, the whole lot erased. The camouflage of safety resides in the familiar, Once I step outside, I’ll have to strive and cajole, spin a new web of connections, to reach out and belong. Obstacles will seem brighter, under this red hot sun, All the shadows much darker and from behind these I must come.

All Welcome to the One Day Studio Moving Sale Sunday 25th November 11am – 4pm 50 Parsons St, Kensington Melbourne Up to 50% OFF on selected Artworks. For More Information please contact Saren. Or jump in and view the works on sale. #Artsale #studiosale

Take Me With You, Oil on Canvas, 2018 The river of change is happening folks and I am wading into the stream. As many of you know, I have longed to move up north, open my studio so I can actually paint more than one painting at a time and not have to tidy away my turps etc, have my own gallery space, write as much as I can before I forget my crazy life and be the most inspiring and transformational coach I feel drawn to being. And so I am heading up north. To pursue this ridiculous dream of making good shit happen. It’s a shaky future, of course. So I gave it some thought when the fear rises up, since there are a number of expenses that are quite a challenge, to walk the talk and put a number of my paintings out there, and see if I can work towards my goal of raising $5000. It will be an amazing help. ​ All works that are listed on here at Art On Sale are available at up to half price. If you especially like one and you want to it stay in Melbourne, otherwise I have to transport them all back to QLD, and then they’ll go mouldy, so just let me know. I have a collection of works that are going to go at really fair prices, and if one sells and then another, in time my goal will be reached and everyone else ends up with an amazing piece of art that tells a unique story. So if the story means something to you, feel free to reach out. Works listed as Unframed are off the stretcher so they can be rolled and posted. Too easy. Here's a selection but the real fun here.. #artonsale #Artsale #studiosale

As we all know there is a growing global momentum around making changes to both managing the effects of climate change and changing behaviours in to reduce our emissions. There is a Global Climate Summit in San Fransisco this September and I am honoured to have my painting of 'Listening to the earth' chosen as a representative of an Australian Artist for posters to be used in this event. Here is the link to the Global Climate Summit website.