TECHNIQUES
Primarily watercolour
APPROACH AND INSPIRATION
I work mainly in watercolour to capture the subtleties of colour, form, and shadow in the landscape and the natural elements within. My holistic approach combines the artist’s eye with scientific and historical research so that, by the time I pull out my brushes, I feel like I am painting the portrait of an old friend.
BIOGRAPHY
My love of plants was first nurtured by my Irish-born grandmother with whom I spent many childhood hours in the family garden in Kingman’s Cove, Fermeuse, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. While tending to the plants, I was captivated by my grandmother’s stories on where the various plants had come from and what they were used for.
I am passionate about passing on my own continually evolving skills and techniques as an artist, curator, and art educator. I work with children and adults in schools locally and internationally, to foster a love of the natural world through artistic expression. I offer weekly adult classes, as well as workshops on specific themes, throughout the year in locations locally and around the world.
I enjoy contributing to my community by volunteering with arts and non-profit organizations on their boards and assisting with special projects.
EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
In addition to a long list of local and annual exhibitions:
Art in the Garden: Tourin House (2016) Cappoquin County Waterford, Ireland
Heritage Irish Plants: Plandaí Oidhreachta (2016) Glasnevin, Ireland
Forget Me Not, (2016) St. John’s, NL
Play (2015) St. John’s, NL
Aibitir: The Irish Alphabet in Botanical Art (2014) Dublin, Derry, and Belfast, Ireland
The Four Seasons (2014) Botanical Artists of Canada, Todmorden Mills ON
Fluid and Form (2014) St. John’s, NL
The Ireland Newfoundland Trail: A Journey of Plants & People (2012 & 2013, curator and exhibitor) St. John’s, NL, Waterford City and Tramore Ireland
Society of Canadian Artists, Ogilvy’s at Tudor Hall (2013, juried) Montreal, Quebec
Botanical Artists of Canada, Papermill Gallery (2013, juried) Toronto, ON
Botanical Artists of Canada Exhibition (2012, juried) Toronto, ON
Plants of The Newfoundland Emigrant Trail (2011) Five Island Art Gallery, NL and Regina Mundi Cultural Centre, Renews, NL
Balancing Act: Invasive Alien Plants (2010, 2011, & 2013) Meaford ON, New Brunswick Botanical Garden (Canada) Dungarvan and Tramore (Ireland) Athens, Georgia (USA) – Solo
From an Island to an Island: Landscapes of Southeastern Ireland & Newfoundland (2009) NL
A Brush with History: The Gardens of the Colony of Avalon (2005) Ferryland, NL – Solo
Visions of the Garden (2004) Niagara Falls, ON
MEMBERSHIP
American Society of Botanical Artists
Art Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (Honorary Life Membership)
Botanical Artists of Canada
Botanical Art Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (Founding Member)
Canadian Association of Painters in Watercolour (Associate member)
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
Irish Society of Botanical Artists
Resource Centre for the Arts
Society of Canadian Artists (Elected Member)
CONTACT
Studio Locations: St. John’s and Tors Cove, NL, Canada
+709 753-2643
