2005 The Churchie National Emerging Art Exhibition

"I grew up believing I wasn't an Artist"

I'd forgotten the clay pots my sister and I made when we were growing up by the beach in North Queensland. Clay dug up from the ground, moulded into bowls and decorated with flowers from the garden, presented to our parents as treasures to keep forever - or until the clay dried and cracked and was swept into the dustbin. Photographs kept those memories, but I had forgotten.

I was good at sport and dance. I played touch football, water polo, representing my school and district. Winning trophies and ribbons for swimming. I was the 'sporty type'.

I travelled west to family in Perth and studied to be a Nanny. I ended up working in hospitality next door to the heart of Australia, Uluru. If the inspiration of that place with that red rock changing colours every sunset and cascading with waterfalls during the 'wet' wasn't enough to remind me, maybe it was true - I had forgotten.

In Africa whispers started being heard, reminding me. The inspiration began arriving in a desire to immerse myself in the colours, textures and images of the world. I played with drawing in Africa and Spain, forgetting to remember that "I'm not an Artist".

Photography presented me with an opportunity to create 'instant art'. The people, the culture, the land and the time and space to appreciate them. I was starting to remember clay dug from the ground with eager hands and flowers and a freedom to create without restraints, expectations and limits.

Back in Australia and 'home' looked different. The people here too were interesting, and colourful, and inspiring. I became a 'homeowner' and renovating, interior design and decoration fuelled the fire and the memory.

I enrolled at the BIA (Brisbane Institute of Art) and was fortunate to be inspired and encouraged by an exceptional tutor Majena Mafe. It was through 'Jena's' skilled direction that I, along with 13 other women, produced a 14m x 6m mosaic recreation of Botocelli's 'The Birth of Venus'.

The overwhelming urge to create took over and I haven't stopped since. Now I see everything as a potential artwork - like the faded, cracked paint on the wall of an abandoned shop. I pass it every day on my way home. I want to take it home and keep it for myself.

Now I remember. I am an Artist.