Pour, Paint and Party Class

I have always loved art. Since initially watching my mother painting oil landscapes in our family room, something about bringing to life a piece of art really spoke to me. Through art, I believe we can improve, inform and inspire. Even though I loved art, life brought us our three beautiful children, so it stayed a heart felt hobby dabbling in local community exhibitions from time to time.Initially from Mooroopna Victoria, my husband and I moved to the Surf Coast three years ago as official empty nesters. In 2023 I was diagnosed with an unruptured aneurysm in my brain, so later the same year I underwent brain surgery to clip the aneurysm but recovery was slow. It was at this time that I found the Lightbox Torquay. Here I found friendship, acceptance and the space I needed to let my artist butterfly free. I have spent the last year and a half exploring skill development and taking my role of artist seriously. I created a body of work, hosted and curated my own solo exhibition, exhibited in a host of exhibitions, joined the Surf Coast Arts Inc committee, and became a stallholder at the Cowrie market selling my work. When I first came to The Light Box, in early recovery, I stuttered, walked with a cane, and tired very quickly. As time passed and my strength and health returned, I poured myself into learning new techniques and practicing with acrylics, watercolours, ceramics and more.I pushed my skill development through landscapes, portraiture, painting from life, and sculptural modelling. I observe the work of other successful artists locally and through history and am always eager to learn from themAs my artistic practice matures, I have begun to explore conceptualism, and expressionism through my art. Coming to terms with the recent diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder 2 and ADHD in 2024, inspired me to investigate my lived experience as expressed through various mediums and styles.I have now run three exhibitions, and have been building toward teaching classes helping classes held at the Lightbox where ever I am needed. I believe creative expression heals, connects, and creates conversations.