Sunflowers 111 Painting

"A fine work of art—music, dance, painting, story—has the power to silence the chatter and lift us to another world." ~ Robert McKee Painting, writing and creating, is an opiate for me. Even when I feel sad, when I create, I feel transported to a happier realm. My wish is that people who hang my paintings in their home, business or office will feel happy too. I was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand—once voted 'the coolest little capital in the world’. in 2015 my partner and I left the 'big smoke' in favour of a 10-acre lifestyle property, overlooking the sea in the beautiful Bay of Islands. It is this sublime setting that inspires my creativity. My artistic influences include the master colourists Pierre Bonnard, Max Gimblett, Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko and more recently, Brian Rutenberg. I once had a business, The Colour Girl”—inspired by the desire to bring more joy into a world that seemed enamoured with black. One of my favourite quotes comes from Picasso, "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." The power of creativity to positively impact people’s lives is the force that inspires me to create. I am an award-winning artist, transpersonal art therapist, author, and Reiki master. I infuse my work with positive energy and light. I was the supreme winner of the Wai Art Awards, and a finalist in the Adam's Portrait award. Having participated in various overseas workshops including a Sumi–E ink painting workshop in Hawaii with ex-pat artist, Max Gimblett, my latest works embrace the simplicity of pleasure and personal experiences that create flow and incite joy. As an intuitive artist with a passion for following my 'inner joy', I hope my work captures and celebrates the 'life-giving' aspects of art, and leaves viewers with a feeling of pleasure, contentment and peace. Feedback from collectors "Your work speaks to my soul in a major way,” Lisa, Dallas Texas “The pieces inspire such positive feelings.” "Wow! So amazing to see your pieces in reality. They have so much life in them.” “Your work has a magical, spiritual quality. I just love them. Really love them.”