The natural world is a constant source of inspiration and is at the heart of my art practice. My drawings and paintings are rendered in accurate detail, capturing the character of the subject and reflecting the fascination and respect I have for all wildlife, particularly Australian native species. I specialise in oil painting, because its versatile qualities allow me to faithfully represent the vibrant colours, textures, and effects of light I see around me. I also incorporate acrylics, watercolour and a range of drawing media into my practice.

My undergraduate studies in Fine Art allowed me to explore conceptual, abstract and figurative work, and experiment with a range of media and techniques. However, my love for drawing and painting natural forms in realistic detail led me to pursue further studies in Natural History Illustration (NHI). I graduated with First Class Honours in 2009, was awarded the University Medal and in 2013 completed a PhD in this field at the University of Newcastle.  I was a Lecturer the NHI program for 8 years where I was constantly inspired by the next generation of natural history illustrators.

My work has been published in Australian Geographic, and in “Feather and Brush: A History of Australian Bird Artists (2nd edition)” in 2022.  My paintings are exhibited locally and interstate, and are found in private collections in Australia and overseas.

I am truly fortunate to now be a full-time artist, doing what I love most.  I continue to create new works for display at the Artisan Collective Port
Stephens, and for exhibitions and commissions. While the Newcastle, Port Stephens and Hunter regions provide a wealth of inspiration, I also enjoy travelling throughout our extraordinary country, collecting resources for future work.

Bio

Born 1960, Canberra, Australia
Lives and works in Port Stephens, Australia

Education

2013   PhD (Natural History Illustration)
2008   Bachelor of Natural History Illustration (Honours Class 1), The University of Newcastle
2007    Bachelor of Fine Art, The University of Newcastle
2001    Open Foundation (Intensive), The University of Newcastle

Awards and Grants

2010   Australian Postgraduate Scholarship
2009   University Medal
Faculty Medal, Faculty of Science and Information Technology
Graham Gilchrist Natural History Illustration Prize
2007    Finalist, Brian and Rhoma Cummins Painting Prize, The University of Newcastle

Solo Exhibitions

2013    Wild Visions:  The World through Animals’ Eyes, Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree
2013    Phd Exhibition, Wild Visions: An Artistic Investigation into Animal Vision
The University of Newcastle Gallery
2011    Newcastle Arts for Health exhibition, John Hunter Hospital
2008    … a fine line …,  John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle
2006    Touching the Surface, Watt Space

Group Exhibitions

2023  It’s All in the Detail, CStudios Art Gallery, Newcastle

2021   S.E.E. Strange, Endangered and Eternal, with Susan Ryman and Lauren Potts, Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree

2019  Gatherings, CStudios Art Gallery, Newcastle

2017    Convergence, with Susan Ryman and Giselle Penn, Gallery 139, Hamilton, Newcastle
2016    Forbidden Fruit, with Susan Ryman, Australian National Botanic Gardens Gallery
2016    Endangered and Extinct: When Nature Calls, Maitland Regional Art Gallery
2016    The Birds, Nanshe Studio Gallery, Newcastle
2016    Figure It Out, Nanshe Studio Gallery, Newcastle
2015-16    Illuminating Science, Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Regional Library
2013    Flora and Fauna, Syndicate at Danks Gallery, Waterloo
2012    Insectosize,Maitland Regional Art Gallery
2011    The Scott Sisters, Auchmuty Library, The University of Newcastle
2011    Depicting Nature: from Scientific Illustration to Graphic Novels, Maitland Regional Art Gallery
2011    Exhibition at Hunter Wetlands Centre in conjunction with the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment
2011    The Weeds Drawing Project, Manukau School of Visual Arts, South Auckland, New Zealand and
The University of Newcastle Gallery
2010    Curio Naturae, Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Regional Library
2009    Minding Animals: The Animal in Us, Watt Space; Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.
Exhibition in conjunction with the International Academic & Community Conference on Animals and Society
2009    Natural History Illustration Honours (2008) Exhibition, Newcastle Art Space
2007    Desideratum, Watt Space
2006    Best Before, 2006 3^rd Year show, Watt Space
2006   Annual Student Acquisitive Art Prize, Watt Space
2006    It’s not all black and white,Watt Space Open Show
2005    First Timers Club, Watt Space
2003    Ink It Print It, Watt Space Student Gallery, Newcastle
2002    Wig Week Art Auction, Newcastle Town Hall

Collections

The University of Newcastle
Private collections within Australia and overseas

Publications

in Olsen, P (2022)  Feather and Brush: A History of Australian Bird Art, CSIRO Publishing

Shorebirds (Nature Watch) Australian Geographic #32 May-June 2016

Wild Visions: Researching, Interpreting and Illustrating the Visual World of Animals, in Observe, Research, Create: Case Studies in Natural History Illustration PhD Research Projects, Common Ground Publishing, 2018