All that Jazz Painting

Born on a Boat at the docs in California, Gee as an only child spent her early years travelling with her parents while they applied for Permanent residency in New Zealand. Initially living in Coopers Beach, her family ultimately settled in Mcleod Bay, Whangarei Heads where Gee had a childhood filled with riding horses, learning Jazz Ballet and the Performing Arts. During her schooling, her mum always made sure that Gee attended schools with art programs. Gee loved dress-ups, and with her mum making many of her clothes, Gee also learned how to sew, enjoying the mechanics behind creating something unique and different from the norm. By the age of 11, Gee started modelling in local shows and won the ‘Model of the North’ competition by the age 15, which sparked her to pursue a part time career in Modelling and Acting in Auckland, while working in IT. Eventually Gee moved into Graphic Design which further fuelled her desire for creating symphonies of colour. During this time, she could be seen on the catwalk at NZ Fashion Week wearing nothing but gold paint and a G-string where she felt perfectly at home. When not working, Gee ventured into the world of Martial Arts where she truly found her strength of self and a connection to all around her through harmony, meditation and yoga. After the loss of her Staffordshire bull terrier fur baby of 15 years, Gee chose a complete chance of pace and started her own consultancy company that focused on healing relationships between companies and their clients. After almost 10 years, Gee sold the company to follow her dream of being a full time artist. Building her studio in late 2018, Gee entered her first Art Competition at the 2019 Royal Easter Show Art Exhibition. Obviously nervous that first day dropping off all 18 of her works Gee was welcomed with open arms by the Bartisans crew. During the show Gee placed second with an acrylic painting of her mum which was a wonderful confirmation that she was on the right path. Gee is inspired by all that surrounds her and finds beauty in things that others miss. She adventures to locations where some would never dream of going, often adorning elaborate costumes or simple pieces of fabric to capture a photo to use as an idea for her next painting. Inspired by the beauty that surrounds us all, Gee paints every stroke with the same passion she has for the beauty of life we all share.