Autumn evening in Cortona Painting

I've enjoyed a life-long passion for art, but only began my love affair with oils in 2005. Before that, I pursued many artistic dalliances, including drawing, photography, ceramics and lead lighting. I've decorated everything from fabric, Majolica pottery and mirror frames to fridges, theatre sets and entire walls. I've sought out interesting art classes wherever I've lived: St Martin's School of Art, London; Manchester Art College; Claremont School of Art, Perth; Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle, and Fremantle Arts Centre. My favourite would have to be the residential in Tuscany, in the autumn of 2007. To fund all this, I've been a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer for a number of years. When I started, I soon realised that what I really love to paint is faces. Within six months I had won the People's Choice Award at the Rosalie 100 Art Exhibition in 2006, and have twice been a finalist in the Black Swan Portraiture Prize in Perth. I have undertaken a number of portrait commissions and sold works at art shows and galleries, but have yet to organise my first exhibition. I sign my paintings "˜Zuzu', the name which represents my artistic persona. My work will be available for sale at the following exhibitions: Hale Art Show, Hale School, Wembley, Perth: 10-12 August 2012 The Art Expo, University of Western Australia, 21 October 2012: see Fabart website.