It’s strange, now & then, and without any pattern whatsoever, my speech will be as clear as day!(well for me, anyway) Often, it will be at the worst time possible, or a life or death situation…and nothing! Just h-h-h-e-l and then, I can see that look of ‘awh come on’ from the other person, which almost makes my stutter worst, although two/three words always come out - Sorry, or a word that for my Mum & Dad’s benefit I’ll refrain from writing down. Then, like a bolt of lightening the words will flow! Unpredictability is the bitch that never ceases to surprise. SOLD

I think it’s naive of me to say that my situation hasn’t, at times, opened doors for me. People find a connection with my work but, often my background, and if this leads to people ultimately viewing and buying a piece, then I’m happy to do so. This being said, one of my pet hates is when people see me as an inspiration. I truly cringe at this as I lead a relatively normal life, but hope my Artworks inspires.

After I became a Mother, I realised just how precious Children are. Life changes in a blink and we become self-absorbed by this little bundle of perfection. We no longer matter, instead our focus is concentrated upon this innocent & flawless creation. I remember when we brought Harper home from hospital, saying to my husband ‘I can’t believe we get to keep her’…she was all ours & we just wanted to give her the world! True perfection. I’ve been asked a few times, do I think my daughter knows that Mummy is different; and after about the 100th time, my answer remains the same, no. She knows that Mummy has dark hair as opposed to blonde, that Mummy talks a little funny, but she doesn't know why as I’m the only Mummy she has ever known. This piece reflects the opposite to the complexities of Motherhood, even in the process as it was created using one of my earliest introductions to Art in Childhood, marbling prints! It is then coated in a high gloss to give an almost glass-like reflective quality. This mirrored finish represents that as I look at Harper, I see resemblances of my husband & I, but also a pureness which shines through.

A chaotic piece demonstrating the highs and lows of juggling work whilst being a mother. It’s been a challenge trying to keep work going, while concentrating on keeping a little human alive. At times, I’ve felt immense guilt as I’ve had to leave Harper to work on various projects, including this Exhibition. However I could never be solely at home, despite my inadequacies, I want Harper and an Art career, and therefore her nap times are very productive. People seem intrigued about how I manage, and yes, it is a slightly different experience to most as I can't change nappies and therefore have always had a sidekick with me for the more physical roles; this in itself has been difficult having someone with me constantly. I don't really know why people find it appropriate to ask me personal questions, I would never ask a mother why they chose to bottle feed as opposed to breast, it’s a personal choice and its always been my choice but also I knew I wouldn't be able to hold a bottle so I actually selfishly fed her until she was 22 months.

Often it’s the personal demons that people aren't aware of that do the most damage; Be it physical, mental or emotional. No demon is worst than the next, for everyone they are a real, and constant threat. Mine are however, a little more obvious to the onlooker. Although, out of everything, my eternal demon is my speech…a battle between frustration and a deep discontentment. I know I will never be resolved with this voice, or understand why, but honestly after loosing it for a short period, I must always remember that at least it is here, even if, a little rough round the edges. SOLD

Bigger is not always better...or is it? A reflective piece, which I have literally imagined for 4 years, & finally brought to fruition at last! This is my visual diary, which began in Tasmania about 5 years ago, coincidently when I lost my speech. It’s strange, like an actual diary, I don’t love each entry/piece, but each one reflects a feeling or emotion from a particular time, so each one has something to say. Ironically the same is true for me, if I'm given the opportunity, I can say a lot in a short space of time. This is demonstrated within each piece as they are created with the same size brushes used for the larger paintings. a miniature painting which combines the same detail as the larger works. SOLD

How many times in a day do you say Sorry? I have never counted the exact number but I would predict that I say it at least 10-15 times per day. Do I mean it? Not for the profound meaning, no I don’t. That’s because Sorry is my flow word, when I stutter it is my go-to word, I have three but Sorry is my main and polite go-to word that usually never fails. If I stutter, I can immediately see the other person begin to think ‘come on’ and I can hear a clock get louder and louder within my head. The minute ‘Sorry’ comes out, I’m able to inhale, sigh and gain enough flow to get into the next word. It’s a mix of techniques just like my brush. I often use four or five colours on my brush at once and during a painting, my brush becomes a canvas…or board in this case! A similar colour palette to my big centrepiece, my husband literally thought of this piece when he was washing out my brush at the end of the day! SOLD

At times, it is simply about painting just for the love of it, not depicting an idea or feeling. Art encompasses my entire world, to the point that I could not imagine Art or colour in my life. This actually provoked an idea, what must it be like in a world without any colour? How bland an existence, a world without Art, a world without beauty…or is it the same? I cannot begin to comprehend life without sight, in a world of visual impairments, how can people appreciate Art? As I work in layers of paint, I have found myself on countless occasions, telling people to refrain from touching the work. For the first time, I have created a painting with a 3D element…touch! Absolutely Floored demands to be DELICATELY TOUCHED, this is my biggest baby to date, please treat him tenderly, as you would a child. The past 2 years I have literally never experienced tiredness like it, as my daughter didn't sleep all night until 16months, I have been absolutely floored by both tiredness and juggling, Harper and two businesses…hence the title, which also reflects the way I paint while sitting on the floor.

One of my worst causes for my stutter is any background noise. The minute I have to project my voice, it’s an automatic stutter switch, which I cannot control. This makes busy, crowded situations a nightmare, the lines of sound become blurred just as the colours contradict each other upon the canvas.

There’s no doubt about it, I hate my voice. When I was younger, as a form of speech therapy, my voice would be recorded and played back to me. This was torture and shock rolled into one, as I didn’t hear myself the same way someone else would. Even to this day, I don’t hear the awful, muffled, distressed & harsh mess that you have to listen to; instead I hear a slow, but ‘normal’ voice…will the two ever blend?

This is the first painting I created after my daughter, Harper was born; for a group Exhibition in Paris. A piece inspired by one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A city, which encapsulates the true meaning of artisan life. From the Architecture..to the food…the wine…even the smell of Paris holds an essence of culture. An essence, which makes reality starts to dissipate and my artistic imagination takes over. I am taken into a world of abstraction, where the only thing to do is paint my expression of the view. The painting becomes an emotional journey, in which colour and texture confront, whilst complementing one another. No matter what the weather is outside, Springtime In Paris is an escape that takes you back to the cobbled streets, which invite you to explore this inspiring city.

I remember a time when I was so full of anger & rage that I literally screamed at God for putting me in this body. I think I was about 14 or 15, looking at a world that I didn't fit into, nor did I want to be in. This anger stayed for a while, and if I’m honest, it never really left although it became tolerable; or it maybe had something to do with meeting my husband! Nearly twenty years on, there is still a silent scream within me from the frustrations that come with trying to be understood. Even now, and no matter how nuts it sounds, I recommend once in a while if things get too tough, go outside and scream at the top of your lungs….mental health is real but the silence associated with it is deafening.

I don’t know why but, over the past 2 years, I realise that when I’m speaking to someone and if we are interrupted, I will never be asked to finish what I was saying. Strange but very true; this has at times, changed my involvement in conversation as if someone is just filling the silence, is there really any point? I begin to fade out & into the background, becoming introvert…just as this piece fades into being left ‘unfinished’.

This is a painting which I have gone over and over. I’ve never liked it, still don’t, the problem is I’ve always thought too much about. Instead of just painting, I’ve fussed and tried to make it perfect. Some things are flawed and full of imperfections. I have tried every therapy which you can think of and have seen a stutter specialist, which has helped for a bit, but there comes a point that you realise…this is it. I’m not yet at this point; I know there is no magic wand, no quick fix, and unfortunately no amount of relaxing will make it better…it feels like waking up in a nightmare, but realising this is my everyday. It’s my constant limitation. My answer is to forget, and keep very busy. SOLD

When my daughter was only a few months old, she used to sit in a little beanbag, and look around until she would drift off for a wee nap. I would sit, and we would tell each other stories…though hers were better than mine. As she drifted, I would kiss her eyelids and she would fall asleep. I hold onto this, as she’s now 2 and doesn't want to sit for two seconds. Since Harper’s been big enough to sit, she’s always loved to dance and continues to be a little raver. There’s a particular cheesy song, Zedd - In The Middle, which she loves to bust a move to. This song has an Artwork attached to it of a bursting flower…this is an interpretation. SOLD