Menu
Born in Boggabri, NSW, but raised in Maitland, I have a deep visual appreciation of the area in which I live.
I have lived in Adelaide for a number of years, where I undertook my studies to teach Art in the secondary school system of South Australia.
I returned to live in the Hunter in 2001 and have spent time living and working in both Stockton and the Maitland area. My art practice always involves making my local area my subject matter, as I engage with my local community.
I work particularly in the medium of Conte on Arches paper, although I also work in oils and acrylics, as well as some lino printing.
My artistic concerns reflect the deep interest I have always had in the preservation and appreciation of built heritage, often places that are so familiar to the viewer that they pass unnoticed. My involvement with the National Trust over the past few years bears some reflection to that interest.
I exhibit regularly, generally working within a series of artworks. I am available for commissions.
My drawings allow me to render the textures and colours of the many of the historic structures which surround me. I like to play with the perspective of the subject to reinforce the grandeur or the detail of many buildings which we just pass by as part of our everyday landscape.
This exhibition, in a way, is a reminder of the once rich agricultural history of Maitland and the Hunter Valley. Once supporting local dairies, feed sheds and silos, holding paddocks for the beef and sheep industries, these are now being replaced by the growing sprawl of suburbia. Then there is Tocal, just out of Paterson, a wonderful step back in time to the homestead and its working outbuildings. And of course the magnificent shearing shed at Belltrees, the White property outside Scone, redolent of the sheep’s back.
All image measurements are in centimetres
For upcoming exhibitions and viewings of my work, please contact me for further information.
Designed by the Colonial Architects under the administration of James Barnet in 1861 in the Victorian Italianate style. The 2 storey former Post Office building next door, of coloured patterned brickwork, was rendered to match. The two buildings have been altered in 1873 and 1886, and have had a number of public building uses.
Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, NSW Government Architect (1890-1911) in 1903 to replace the existing Post Office next to the Telegraph Office, which by 1892 was unable to cope with demand. First thought that the old Court House, designed by Mortimer Lewis, Colonial Architect, in 1841, could be converted to be used as a post office, but the idea abandoned by 1898.
Designed by the Colonial Architects under the administration of James Barnet in 1890 to replace the original Court House designed by Mortimer Lewis, Colonial Architect, which was where the former PO stands. The Court House has been replaced by a new build in Hunter St at Civic.
Designed by Menkens in 1906 with additions made in 1911, at the time of his association with F Castleden. Built for AA Dangar as offices in the Federation Free style. Later the Palings Music Store. This style was not bound by rules, often using asymmetrical massing, and classical elements if used were played with – incomplete, distorted or placed in unusual contexts.
Designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet, and constructed from 1882 – 1892, under advice from Lieutenant Colonel Peter Scratchley and Major General William Jervois. They had been sent to Australia in 1876 to advise on the defence of Australian ports, in particular, during the Crimean War.
Designed by Ernest Yeomans (1861 – 1946) in 1898 – a corner building of offices and residences, in the Baroque and Flemish styles known also as Queen Anne, characterised by extensive and “frivolous” decoration. The bust on the keystone above the entrance door is said to be the face of Justice Sir George Reid, a subsequent Premier of NSW.
James Henderson reconstruction 1890. Arrived in NSW in 1863 and first worked as a builder in Newcastle and then as a partner in a sawmilling business. Began architectural work in 1874. The Victoria Theatre was originally built in 1876, altered in 1886 and then demolished in 1890. Henderson designed the major reconstruction of the Victoria Theatre which included a large stage house and small first class hotel. It was built in a neo Grecian style.
Ernest Yeomans was the architect, and the Trades Hall was opened in 1895 towards the end of the 1890’s depression. It was built on land near the rail corridor, made available by Sir Henry Parkes, after a rebuttal by the Railway Commissioner . A small building, but richly decorated in many motifs and changes in brickwork, in the Baroque and Free Dutch style. The 1896 Arts and Craft style Newcastle Technical College stands beside the trades hall, rather dwarfing the building in comparison.
(57×38)
I remember this shed from my youth and all these years later it still stands like a rusting monolith to the farming heritage of the rich land along the river. Drive down Flat Road, turn in to McKimms Road, past Mick Tobin’s old place and there it is, just before the main street of Largs. There used to be three hay sheds I admired – one on the Phoenix Park road held up by two trees – it burned down a few years ago. Another on the Glenarvon Road which blew down in the terrible storm of last April; and this my last shed – which hopefully will stand for many more years.
75x55cm acrylic paint on paper
From my time living in Stockton in the early 2000s, the Boat Harbour was an intriguing haven for an eclectic mix of largely working boats. Made up of pipework, planks and milk crates protected by rock walls, it perfectly sat on the edge of the Hunter outside the well frequented Boatrowers Hotel. It has been replaced with a typical marina, no doubt very efficient but it has lost the charm of the original.
60x84cm acrylic paint on paper
Towards the Stockton Bridge, there are moorings for a small variety of boats, all needing to have a tender to come in to shore. The red tender floated like a compass point, waiting for a rarely seen “mother ship”. Over time the red has turned to a very pale pink, but it still points towards the industrial Walsh Island of the Kooragang area.
