Acrylic Painting

Henri

Commission, Sold

This was painted (with permission) from a photo by Jacqueline Wells, of her gorgeous free spirited daughter. I was absolutely captivated by it. There are so many stories in this photo, so much personality, so much joy. I feel as though she is Alice on wonderland, or Dorothy or just Henri: she will face all the ups and downs in life with confidence, individuality and spirit. She will dance her way through life.

91 x 91 cm

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The Journey

Commission, Mural, Sold

This painting was such a struggle for me, physically and emotionally and on reflection it is fitting that it was. 
This is for a paediatric therapy and learning centre: it is to convey hope. 
When people see this they will not see how much pain I was in when I did it. They will not see how I struggled as to how to achieve it, how to get the complexity and depth, how to covey the image that was given to me. They will not see how I struggled with self doubt and how much I wanted it to work out. 
Just as when you see the kids who go for these physical therapies. We do not see the struggles they face. We do not see how hard they fight, sometimes daily. How much they have to deal with, each with varying degrees of difficulties and how much harder they have to try. 
What you do see is the beauty that has resulted from the struggle. It was worth it. 
I hope for the kids who attend their therapies that they can also see hope, hope that the struggle is worth it. That great things can be accomplished with great effort, even when others are unaware of the battle.

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Unexpected

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Have you ever come across a happy surprise? Running into a friend when you are low, getting to the check out and finding the item you were buying is on sale (scored), a beautiful sunset at the end of a long walk? 
This started off as a commission, but I just couldn’t get it to work, so I put it aside and started again. I finished the commission and came across this without the struggle, without the need to impress and what came about was unexpected. I had the feeling I have had before: that happy surprise.

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My Orchids

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I love my garden. I am constantly amazed and inspire by its ever changing beauty. These orchids are so inspirational as they are completely uncared-for and yet these flowers come from them and they last so long.  
Generally I paint outlandish colours and this was painted in a period when I was feeling quite depleted. It is amazing what can come from even the toughest times as these flowers themselves show: despite their neglect, they thrive.

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Hope Meets Adversity

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My husband took a stunning picture of the pool at Brooklyn, while we were having a family day, walking and eating fish and chips. 
It was an image that really stuck with me. I loved the contrast between the light and the dark and it very much felt like the contradiction of life: so much beauty but so much pain. From this juxtaposition can come great creativity and experience.

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Mural: 26 to Find

Commission, Mural, Sold

This mural was down for a public school. It has 26 different creatures to find, of varying sizes and species. It was great fun painting it while the kids at the school watched. I had a daily little audience of interested viewers. i loved the kids getting the opportunity to see an artwork be created and to see that a lot of hard work goes into it. 
My favourite comment was from a boy going to OOSH early in the morning: “I want to be an artist like her one day.”

I Choose Joy

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I Choose Joy 
This year has been tough, no bones about it, it is what it is. That is ok, it is life: I have hurt, I have grieved, I have mourned what has been lost, I have struggled, I have fought, I have succeeded and I have failed. 
I now need to chose daily to put it behind me, focus on what is good and what is lovely, and enjoy the adventures to come rather than the difficulties that have passed. 
I am back to colour 🙂 
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ” Philippians 4 :8

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Waterlilies of Silvermere

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Last week we spent a couple of days in the blue mountains with family. We stayed in this amazing place called Silvermere. It was so spectacularly tranquil, surrounded by beautiful gardens and this lovely fish pond. One night I went for a walk and just sat on the deck praying and was overcome by the most tremendous peace. The peace that surpasses all understanding. I was reminded to focus on Him and everything can wash away as unimportant. 
Waterlillies of Silvermere.

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Lennox Head Sunset

Commission, Sold

This was a commission, as a wedding gift. It was a family favourite holiday place, with significant and special memories. 
The request was made that it be colourful and not completely realistic. That works for me as I love outlandish colours, I see the world through rainbow coloured glasses.

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Finding Peace

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This painting is of a beautiful little lagoon in Arrawarra, on the midcoast of NSW. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever been.  
I started painting this on the first day my son went to preschool, sadly the next day I had a major accident and didn’t paint again for a long time. It took me over a year to finish this, possibly up to 100 hours and 4 surgeries later.  
I call this painting “Finding Peace” because it was a very difficult year and a very difficult process: a true journey for me of finding peace.

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