I've got so many exciting plans and projects for 2019, but it can be pretty overwhelming knowing just where to start. Sometimes just taking a moment to look back over the past years achievements can help with a little focus. So here is my version of the 12 days of Christmas, my 12 favourite things from 2018...

Some of my first works for 2018. Apart from a couple of pieces last year, I’d taken quite a long break from cutting paper so it was great to get back into it with this project cutting leaf vein patterns.

Pictured here is ‘Variegated I’ one of my absolute favourite pieces this year. It's been a great year getting back into my painting in a big way - going up in size and up on the detail! I particularly enjoyed added a little collaged paper to work like this.

So lovely earlier this year to be featured in UK based Artist Talk Magazine. You can still read it online via this link.

This year I was very excited to be a finalist in the Milburn Art Prize with this work 'The Woven Basket II

After attending a great art and science workshop a couple of years ago this year I finally started to delve into work inspired by patterns found at the microscopic level, like this piece 'Mulla Mulla Pollen Grains', another one of my favourites from this year.

One of the big focuses of this year was putting together a large body of work for my Variegated collection and show. Celebrating the simple beauty of leaves from the microscopic level through the to leaf vein patterns. You can see the full collection on the website here.

Very excited to be taking part in my first regional gallery exhibition with the Weaving Room at Pine Rivers Art Gallery. As well as being a finalist in the Morton Bay Art Prize earlier in the year with one of my woven photographs. On show until 19th January with 'The Mock Orange Hedge' woven painted paper and printed paper.

There's just something about water ripples, light bouncing off water and little bubbles on the beach I just love and keep returning to in my work. I was particularly pleased with this piece 'Variegated Rubber Plant by the Pool' with it's multiple layers of pattern.

And finally wrapping up the year is my coral work. Great timing with trend setter Pantone picking living coral for their colour of the year. I've still got some more pieces to share in the new year, as well as some particularly unusual work with recycled materials. This work titled 'Beyond the Shallows' is my entry for the Art Lovers Australia prize, another highlight this year being picked as a finalist for the 2018 show.

And that's about it. Wow, so much to look back on. I'm feeling very inspired for 2019! Thanks to everyone for your kind words of support and a big thank you to everyone who purchased my work this year. Can't wait to share all my new ideas with you.
If you had a particular favourite piece or technique this year please feel free to share in the comments, it might help me prioritise all these ideas :) And if you are interested in commissioning anything for 2019 please get in touch.

I'm so excited for June to have on show all together for the first time works from my new variegated series, plus, also for the first time I'll be taking part in the Samford and Surrounds Arts Trail and Open Studios!

From the 24th May-24th June you can find my work in the beautiful old Butter Factory building in Dayboro, just a short drive out of Brisbane, at the Mezzanine Gallery. On show is 'Natural Selection' a group exhibition. It really is a very unique space just above Entangle Living Art, the perfect spot to celebrate plants in art.

DEMO DAY: On Saturday 16th June from 10am I'll be at the gallery working on some new painted paper weavings. So pop by and say hello.

The gallery is open Wed-Sun 10-4pm at 38 Williams St, Dayboro.

This month sees the SNAP photography exhibition at Brisbane's Aspire Gallery come round again for another year. I really like to make a point of taking part in this one as I feel it's so important to accept and celebrate photography as the art form it is; unfortunately there are too many art sites and competitions that don't allow photography in as though it is somehow less worthy. 
This year I wanted to show a different way of using photography. Rather than the photo being the finished piece itself, it is the focal point and an important part of the art making process. Several images were mixed together to create an abstract background which then formed the basis for each of the artworks above. Both include the same selection of photographs - a piece of patterned fabric, paper scraps, a string of lights and the studio desk covered in paint. Together they combine with some images of green watercolour washes to make the texture which has been collaged and painted over. The vase and the hanging basket made from woven recycled paper, and yes, the succulents are lots and lots of punched paper circles.

SNAP18 runs from the 14th - 24th March at Aspire Gallery, 53 Kennedy Tce, Paddington.