I follow in my much-loved grandmother’s footsteps, Myrtle McDonald, a well-known watercolour artist in Wellington, NZ. Her walls were covered floor to ceiling with paintings and the dining table was buried under paper and art supplies – such a magical place to encourage creative imagination from early childhood.
While studying architecture and design in my late 20s, I began painting watercolours to earn a few extra dollars, never imagining this instead would one day turn into a much-loved career, including commercial illustration and teaching art to adults.
I’m a landscape painter first and foremost, but also love architecture, and our NZ birds, working in both oils and watercolours.
I’ve had numerous solo exhibitions at venues such as the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, and Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, as well as exhibiting in galleries and group shows throughout New Zealand during the past 30 years. My paintings have made it to many places here and across the world, and I’m so grateful for the commissions that have made up a large part of my work since I started painting.
Teaching has been a joy, and given back in so many ways, including the improvement of my own skills as I share the knowledge I’ve accumulated over many years of art practice.
I live in rural Wairarapa on the banks of the Ruamahanga River, with the Tararua Ranges in the distance, and have always thought how lucky I am to live in the landscape I enjoy painting so much, observing the changing light throughout the day, and through the seasons.
Watch a Mastrius Meet the Mentor session on Youtube where you will hear a little about my background, how I got into painting and teaching, and a short demonstration on 'Mixing Greys' and why they are so important in Landscape painting.
Biography
2017 - 2023 Studio Artist, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.
2023 Master Artist Mentor at Mastrius
2010 - 2023 Art tutor – private adult education workshops and night classes
1993 - 2022 Commercial Greeting Card designer
2020 Kotahitanga Group Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art & History
2016 - 2021 Chair, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.
2016 Founder, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc. Wairarapa Artists Collective
2016 - 2018 President, Masterton Art Club Inc.
2016 Invited exhibitor, Aratoi Foundation Art Auction
2016 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa
2016 Group Exhibition, Alfred Memelink Artspace, Petone
2016 Craigs Aspiring Art Prize Awards, Wanaka
2015 Waitakere Art Awards
2015 Exhibitor at Christchurch Art Show
2015 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa
2015 Group exhibition, Greytown Arts Festival
2014 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa
2013 Group exhibition, 5 Elements at Lennox Design Studio & Gallery, Masterton
2013 Merit Award International Artist magazine 2013 Landscape Competition
2013 Selected for Single Artist Wall, NZ Art Show
2012 Completed Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary – Art), Massey University
2011 Invited artist to exhibit at Tim Wilson Gallery, Queenstown
1991 - 2010 Exhibited at NZ Academy of Fine Arts
2010 Selected for Single Artist Wall, NZ Art Show
2010 Solo Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History
2010 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 29", New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2010 Art tutor, Wai Art Summer School
2009 Selected for Single Artist Wall, NZ Art Show
2009 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review
2009 Art tutor, Makoura College Adult Education
2009 Wai Art Awards, Wairarapa - People's Choice Award
2009 Art tutor at King Street Artworks
2008 - 2009 Art tutor through Wai Art
2008 Wai Art Awards, Wairarapa - Third Place, and People's Choice Award
2007 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review
2007 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 24", NZ Academy of Fine Arts
2007 Friends of Aratoi, Easter Exhibition, Wairarapa
2006 Solo Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History
2006 Friends of Aratoi, Easter Exhibition, Wairarapa
1999 - 2005 Art tutor at Wairarapa College Adult Education
2005 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review
2005 Solo Exhibition at Prime Community Art Gallery, Masterton
2003 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review
1997 - 1998 Art tutor at UCOL Adult Education
1995 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 5", NZ Academy of Fine Arts
1992 - 1995 Art tutor at Inverlochy Art School, Wellington
1990 Completed B.Architecture at Auckland University
1982 Completed B.A. (Geography) at Victoria University, Wellington
1962 Born Wellington