BIO

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I was born in Masterton, New Zealand — the hometown of Sir Peter Jackson — and raised in Auckland, where I now live on the beautiful North Shore.

From a young age, I was drawn to colour, inspired by the works of Vincent van Gogh. Visiting the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was a deeply moving experience that further ignited my passion for art.

One of my earliest influences was my high school art teacher, Wallace Crossman. He had a remarkable ability to recognise budding artists — some of whom went on to gain national recognition. Without my knowledge, he entered one of my paintings into the New Zealand Secondary School Art Awards. I was honoured to receive an award, along with art books gifted to my school. The judges especially noted my strong sense of colour, something that continues to define my work today.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with many mediums, but acrylics have become my favourite. Their fast-drying nature matches my creative energy — when inspiration strikes, I like to paint while the flow is strong, and acrylics let me do just that.

My artistic training has been broad and eclectic. I studied Graphic Art at Auckland University of Technology, qualified as a Draughtswoman, completed civil engineering units, and earned a Diploma in Interior Design. I’ve also taken courses through Mairangi Arts Centre, Moore Fine Arts, and Airbrush Venturi International. However, I consider myself largely self-taught, learning through continual experimentation and the joy of discovery.