Tell us about yourself.

I live in Queensland Australia in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane. I love living here, surrounded by rolling hills, bordering a forest and wildlife corridors.

Two years ago, I finished building a house as an owner-builder on a hill on my ten-acre property.  When not in my studio painting and sewing, I spend time in the garden and derive much pleasure from watching plants grow and the antics of wildlife -- Cockatoos which come to the feeder, my mischievous cheeky fourteen Guinea Fowls, and several native Wallabies which are trusting now to freely habitat close to the house.

Although my place seems fairly remote and secluded, I am only thirty-five minutes’ drive to Noosa, a tourist destination with beautiful beaches, shopping and eateries. My secluded surroundings offer me the mental space to have time to explore creativity. When not at home, I enjoy travelling – mostly solo in my Motorhome, especially to the outback and remote areas of Australia where I feel inspired to paint.

What inspires you?

As a young teenager, under the family house, I would attempt to screen print on fabric, usually on old bed sheets or scraps of cotton. I didn’t have the right tools or paint, but nevertheless, the creative energy and a strong tactile desire within me kept me coming back to explore ideas. I remember where I was at about age thirteen when the seed was planted in my mind - a dream to one day see my art on rolls of fabric.

Leaving school, I enrolled at The College of Art in Brisbane. My lifelong passion stayed with me, ever-present whilst engaging in full-time jobs including Advertising Agencies and twenty-one years in Real Estate. In 2017, I was fortunate to realize my dream after I journeyed to Houston Quilt Market. I gathered the courage to show my previously hidden original designs to fabric companies and ultimately FreeSpirit Fabrics.

When outside at home and whilst travelling, I am open to all possibilities to be amazed! My creativity is sparked by the feelings and mood of a place, and my sensory connection to my surroundings. I absorb the colours, textures and shapes. These spark energy, and I intuitively immerse myself to paint directly onto cotton fabric via mark making with various tools, sticks and sometimes charcoal from a campfire.

Tell us about your fabric.

My current collection in stores from June 2023 is called “Island Vacation”, inspired by a holiday to an Island in the South Pacific Ocean named Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. In this collection, I have interpreted my memorable impressions, of the magical atmosphere on this tropical volcanic Island.

I spend relaxing days snorkelling over Coral Reefs, swimming in the turquoise tranquil calm waters, and strolling along white sand beaches picking up shells and coral.  Palm Trees overhang the water’s edge and the local warm-natured people, Nivans, live in primitive thatched grass huts. The women wear bright-coloured block-printed sarongs and sundresses and adorn their hair with large Hibiscus. Afternoon tropical rain storms create a drenching and balmy atmosphere. The daily village markets are a feast of colour, excitement, bustle and noise. Produce is on display on woven mats are elongated papaya, mangos, avocados and bananas. I marvel at the Nivan children sitting on the ground weaving “still green” Pandanas leaf baskets to bundle up red sweet potatoes. I feel enveloped with inspiration from this fresh vibrant Island scene.

I am excited and planning to travel to Houston in October this year to have a booth alongside FreeSpirit Fabrics at both Fall Quilt Market and Festival, to launch my sixth fabric Collection for FreeSpirit Fabrics. My Collections of designs are identified as large-scale, highly colourful and organic.

Quilters who like to make large blocks or quilts with less piecing will enjoy sewing with my large-scale designs. Free motion machine quilters and hand stitchers enjoy stitching the shapes and patterns in my designs as whole cloths without cutting into the fabric.  The large-scale prints also work well for making shirts, pants and dresses.

The more simplified the patterns the better - without cutting too much into the designs. Other uses are for bags, tablecloths, serviettes and cushions. Many people have said they have bought a large piece and strung the fabric across a large canvas and hung it on the wall as art. And another sewer said she had used fourteen metres of my design called “Forest Medley” from the collection “Fancy Free” to make floor-to-ceiling curtains for her Sun Room.

I am thrilled to be having a Solo Exhibition, titled “The Traveling Artist”, incorporated in Special Exhibits at the International Fall Quilt Market and Festival in Houston late this October 2023. It will comprise twenty six original Paintings on fabric. Some of these Quilts are the original art used in my collections including artworks from my most recent collection – “Island Vacation” and Artwork from my next Collection called – “Exotic Garden Palace,” which will be launched at Fall Quilt Market. All of these Quilts will be available to purchase. Drop by the exhibit and also to my booth to see “Exotic Garden Palace”, near FreeSpirit Fabrics! The featured quilts, pictured above, are called, (left to right): Beach Dunes, Jade Treasures and Kashmir Romance.

What advice do you have for the new maker?

My dream as a young teenager formed in a special quiet moment. It was to – “one day see my painted designs on rolls of fabric”.

The seed was sewn in my mind, and the strong memory of that thought stayed with me throughout my life, even though a full-time job early in my thirties, took me in a completely different career direction. I didn’t at that young age have the skills or ability but the strength of that memory was sustaining and enduring.

Have you had a dream or idea? It might be a thought or image or a passion lying dormant! Perhaps to start painting or to begin a sewing project or another passion of yours that has been residing in the back of your mind.  Write it down in a few big words, such as: “one day I will see my painted designs on rolls of fabric.” Then, place it somewhere where you can continually be reminded of it. Get emotionally involved with it, and once in a while check in with yourself as to whether it is still a strong enough idea.  It might be that another stronger idea fills its place. Think about how you can make small steps towards action and make it happen.

This activity below - Hand Stitching in a hoop, is by far, my favourite form of meditation.  A chance to think about what’s coming next!

The photo shows my design “Seeds Breaking Out” from my first collection called “Art Excursion”. My designs are to me the perfect way to sit and unwind and let the flow or the large shapes and patterns take you on a journey. Hand-stitching you can follow the forms or meander away in between shapes as I have. Using a simple hand-running stitch, with no rules to be perfect, I encourage you to express your own interpretation of your chosen design. I think this piece is finished and it will be hung in the hoop on a wall!

I am preparing to start hand stitching on a favourite design “ Jungle Magic” from my new collection, shipping to stores in June called - “Island Vacation”. Pick up your favourite embroidery needle – Mine currently are Clover- Embroidery 5. Embroidery threads I use are DMC sometimes, and Sue Spargo threads from Wonderfil. Remember no rules…It’s your expression!

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