The seasons anchor me to time and place, I am drawn to the beach as it’s where I can channel this intensely sensory experience.

Since childhood the Coromandel coast is where I feel truly connected with nature and at peace with myself. It’s where I can remove myself from the relentless demands and pace of the city and find solace.

Changes in season influence colour, temperature, texture and light, creating different perspectives. A small change in one of those elements offers a new lens on the same place. Over the last year I have immersed myself through the seasons in Coromandel to help heal and calm my mind. Matarangi, Whangapoua, Kuaotunu, Rings Beach, Opito Bay and Otama Beach are places in nature that inspire my work and fuel my love of landscapes. My process begins with heading out with my camera to photograph landscapes. I’m constantly exploring different times of day, the weather, and consciously reflecting on how I am feeling at that time. I want to be able to recall those moments during the painting process, focus less on replicating forms and more on capturing the essence of the images.

My art practice is intuitive, I work in loose brushstrokes which underpin mark-making,  texture and colour, creating connections on the canvas and cohesion in the collection of works. I start out with a soft, loose palette, layering up using acrylics. The layering process helps me to create depth and movement. Oil pastels are a new addition to my process, I love the rich, creamy texture and new traits they add to my work. The colours of the seasons inform the tone, hue and temperature and abstracted forms allow for a more organic feel.

I want each piece to convey a feeling, the free feeling of summer, the moodiness of winter, the freshness of spring, the crisp and colourful tones of autumn. I hope to create a sense of calm and escapism while invoking feelings of curiosity and a sense of wonder.