About Me

I am a passionate, Melbourne-based watercolour artist who also enjoys experimenting with other media, including acrylic, pastel, gouache, mixed media and montage pieces.

Working with a variety of media allows me to capture the essence of my subject, often varying from impressionist realism to adopting more abstract concepts that reveal the underlying structure of shape and form. I also enjoy sketching, and creating my own handmade paper for art pieces and travel journals.

For me, a strong passion for drawing and painting began during my childhood, when I inspired by my grandfather, the late Patrick Mallon, a talented artist who painted with the Tonal realists under Max Meldrum. 

I have lived most of my life in the bayside suburbs of beautiful Melbourne. After completing my school years at Star of the Sea College in Brighton, I completed my Trained Secondary Teacher Certificate (TSTC - Arts and Craft) and later my Bachelor of Education in Art and Design at the former Melbourne State College (now University of Melbourne).

I then embarked on my career as a secondary school teacher, taking on positions at Star of the Sea College, Brighton; Genazzano College, Kew; and De La Salle College, Malvern. Over the years I have taught many aspects of art and textiles, and have always thrived on the youthful enthusiasm of my students. 

My passion for landscape painting stems from my love of nature, and a deep appreciation of being outdoors and spending time bushwalking, canoeing, and cross country skiing.

During my secondary school years, a wonderful teacher – Sister Raymond Taylor – taught me to paint and introduced me to the works of J.M.W Turner, as well as the French and Australian Impressionists. Since then I have been drawn to the Impressionists’ wonderful use of light, and in particular, the works of John Singer Sergeant.

The two prevalent themes in my art works are Australia’s outback and coastal scenes.

My father’s family have strong ties to East Gippsland, and we have a holiday house and studio by the lake in the small coastal township of Lakes Entrance. I delight in sketching and painting the fishing boats and wharves of the town, as well as capturing the magical beaches and coastal scenes that surround it. This coastline is well known for its rapidly changing weather and light conditions.

Capturing light is an integral element, especially in demonstrating the interplay of light and shadow. The influence of the sun on the ambient light, and its effect on the subtlety and intensity of colour, are often highlighted in my pieces.

By comparison, my outback are often acutely abstracted, and are designed to reflect my unique interpretation of the landscape. These paintings evoke the subtle beauty of the colours, patterns and textures of the landscape. While the palette range is often reduced, I like to allow the rich hues and textures of the land to tell their story. 

My travels overseas have taken me to many countries, and I have filled sketchbook journals with paintings and painted en-plein air in many wonderful locations. I have also been fortunate enough to visit some of the world’s most esteemed art galleries and collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the J. M. W. Turner collection at the Tate Gallery, London.

I find myself enticed by the endless pursuit to reach new heights in my creativity. As my studio beckons, my paints and easel await my next journey into the great unknown.

Solo

2018  East Gippsland Art Gallery - Bairnsdale

2014  Lakes Vic Gallery – Lakes Entrance, Victoria

2013  Cotham Gallery 101 – Kew, Victoria

2012  Lakes Vic Gallery – Lakes Entrance, Victoria

2008  AGRA Gallery – Camberwell, Victoria

2007  Wine Justice Gallery – Sandringham, Victoria

2001  Theatreworks Gallery – St Kilda, Victoria

2000  Theatreworks Gallery – St Kilda, Victoria

1999  Woodsedge Gallery – Lakes Entrance, Victoria

Annual and Group Exhibitions and Awards

2019 - Masters of Watercolour Exhibition, Pan Pacific Hotel

2019 - Glorious Gippsland Exhibition, Bairnsdale

Winner - Best Local  Scene

2000 – 2019 Victorian Artists Society Exhibitions

Highly Commended, Autumn Exhibition 2018

Highly Commended, Spring Exhibition 2018

2010 – 2016  The ANL Maritime Exhibition, Mission to Seafarers

2007 – 2018  Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) Annual Exhibition

Winner – Danks Trust Award (2018)

Highly commended award (2015)

Highly commended award (2013)

2002 – 2015  Pastel Society of Victoria Exhibition

1999 – 2018  Lakes Entrance Rotary Art Show

First prize in Watercolour and Works on Paper (2000, 2001, 2015)

Featured Artist (2007)

Highly commended award (2007)

Acquisitive prize winner (2001)

2007 – 2014  Australian Watercolour Society – Kenneth Jack Memorial Exhibition

Highly commended award (2011, 2012, and 2013)

2004 – 2013  Bayside Art Show

2007 – 2012  Nowa Nowa Nudes Exhibition

2006 – 2012  Mount Waverley Art Show

2002 – 2012  Camberwell Rotary Art Show

2000 – 2012  St Kevin’s Art Show

2009 – 2010  Strathcona Art Show

2009 – 2010  En Plein Air Competition Sandringham

Highly commended award (2010)

Second prize (2009)

2005 – 2010  Continental Hotel Sorrento Exhibition

Featured Artist (2008)

2009  Included in the MSWPS Centenary Book Publication

2009  Flinders Art Show

2008  Synergy Galleries Northcote

2008 – 2009  Melbourne Watercolour Show, Without Pier Gallery

2000 – 2004  Paynesville Apex Club Art Show

2002  Spinnaker Gallery Paynesville

1999 – 2002  Mentone Mordialloc Art Show

First prize in Watercolour (1999)

Victorian Artists Society

Watercolour Society of Victoria (Past Vice-President)

Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS)

Glen Eira Art Society

Contemporary Art Society of Victoria

Wilderness Coast Artists Society

Paper Arts Gippsland East