I live just north of Auckland New Zealand in an old run down vicarage that I moved onto a piece of land beside the Rangitopuni River, a tributary of the Waitemata Harbour . I’m so lucky to still look over a rural landscape as Auckland City marches relentlessly towards me gobbling up farmlands and building endless Lego houses.

I have always loved drawing, painting and music. I play music most days but with art I’ve picked it up and put it down as life occupies and distracts so easily. I’ve made a concerted effort to try and paint everyday and recently discovered watercolour which is a challenge but I find absolutely mesmerising. I’ve painted with oils at various times and I find they are more forgiving. Watercolour you really have to think about and I’m looking forward to the day when I can confidently start a painting without sweating bullets about making a mistake you can’t correct. I am also a beginning printmaker, again a medium that requires much thought. Why do I do this to myself???

I have a Visual Arts qualification from MIT Auckland and a Film and Television qual from UniTec which took me to film as I love imagery and storytelling . Unfortunately with bringing up three young children on my own I found the hours were brutal, so I diversified to writing and freelance editing.

My first career was in education and for the past 18 years I’ve been so privileged to have been involved in teaching young children when I started a montessori preschool in my local community. It’s a joy everyday to see little souls unfolding and their pure love for life is invigorating.