The Best Job in the World

returned to college in Guildford,England, when I was in my thirties. Istudied art, decorative paint

design history and working drawings,before opening an interior designbusiness called ‘Glazed Expressions’.My Dad was very proud and felt reallybad that he had turned me against myoriginal career idea (although I neverheld it against him).

  Later at Cornwall, in South WestEngland, I opened a gourmet food shop.The interior design training came inhandy for this project! I enjoyed what Iwas doing, but it wasn’t really myultimate goal in life. I tried to paintwhenever I could although my workinghours didn’t allow for much spare time.After returning to Australia four yearsago with my family, I decided thatwhatever I was going to do would needto include art. My passion for art

has never wavered, whatever else I mayhave been doing.

  I have always been interested inhistory, from an early age – especiallyancient history and mythology. I lovereading, researching and learning andthese qualities have helped me with myintense interest in my latest subjectmatter, which is ‘The Goddess’ figure.

  I suppose I use my art as a vehicle toexpress my feelings about The Goddessand all her qualities. I believe TheGoddess is in everything … the wind, theearth, the water and the fire. We are apart of everything on this Earth, just asthe Earth is a part of us.

  I believe that the Earth is fertile andconsequently ‘female’ in all itswonderful form … I hope that my artinspires women to be the best theypossibly can! My art carries a messageto nurture and care for this planet aswell as one another.

  My introduction to The ArtistWarehouse came via an advertisement inthe local newspaper, advertising GenesisHeat Set Oil Paints. I immediately took tothe concept of this medium because of

the versatility it gave me, plus I loved theway I could blend my values (just liketraditional oils).

  I often need to go and researchsomething when I’m painting.Previously, my acrylic paint would bedry before I came back to it. This paint,however, does not dry unless you set itwith a heat gun, and this was the bestquality of all for me! I love the way thepaint is odourless and non-toxic(remembering my earlier days of smellymineral spirits and oil paints). Thismedium is such a breakthrough forartists who don’t want to lose their

inspiration and spontaneity by waitingaround for paint to dry (or, even worse,having paint dry too soon).

  My visits to The Artist Warehousebecame quite frequent, thanks tonumerous invitations from the owners

to come up and paint. We all got toknow each other very well, which wasvery easy because The Artist Warehouseis such a wonderful fun-loving place tobe. The Australiana theme for thewarehouse works exceptionally well,with the iconic old rusty car and thecorrugated iron everywhere (it looksgreat as a backdrop for the vast andvaried art works). The studios arecomfortable, clean and bright and theinviting retail area and gallery justentices you to wander around. Peoplecomment almost daily on the feel of theplace, using words like warm, friendlyand amazing.

  I had taught art previously in England on a private level;and had completed a project for Joondalup Council, makinga harmony quilt with women from different cultures.

courses teaching abstract art, which has proven to be verypopular indeed. I hold one-day abstract workshops which arebooked out as soon as they are advertised.

  My students are very important to me – they all neednurturing in one way or another and they all come to TheArtist Warehouse for different reasons. It is important forme to make my students feel as comfortable and relaxedas possible, especially if they have never painted before.We learn about colour, value, form, line, composition,shading, perspective, format and art history in ourlessons; as well as lots of other things. I like to get mystudents to think differently by using the ‘right side ofthe brain’ approach to art.

  When I’m teaching my students to paint a rose, forinstance, I tell them that they must see, feel and becomethat rose. We look for the properties in everything whichwe are attempting to paint, and spend quite a lot of time indiscussion … which gives the students better insight.

my greatest satisfaction is when everyone is quietlypainting. The students move into that moment that onlyartists know, when time dwindles away and thought is ofnothing in particular. That is the moment when I know thatmy students are really achieving peace and harmony withinthemselves, which in turn shows in their work.

of jokes and funny stories to tell. The lessons are soimportant for the students, especially if it is the only freetime they may get in the week. The time is precious and soshould the teaching be. People may think they are onlycoming here to learn how to paint … but really they arerelieving stress, making valuable time just for themselves,discovering who they are, making friends, realising theirpotential and identity … and most of all, having fun.

  It is not merely my job, but my absolute passion tocreate a special place for the students to grow and becomemore confident. I have had the pleasure of meeting somevery special people!

students, especially if they have never painted before. Wehave had such wonderful comments about the paint beingodourless and non-toxic, especially when people haveallergies such as dermatitis and asthma. We only havesmall numbers in our classes (no more than ten), but itwould be a different story altogether if we were all usingtraditional oil paints and mineral spirits. Our studios areclean and fresh. Fumes and toxicity are something we canleave behind in the past. The journey really does start here,when students purchase their Genesis paints.

  I really feel that I have ‘the best job in the world’ doingsomething that I love, surrounded by wonderful people in amost amazing place – The Artist Warehouse.

have found such fulfilment, which engages me sopassionately, in this lifetime. Some of them still can’tdecide what it is they really want to do.