| What factors in your life do you believe played a significant part in you becoming an artist ?
Genetic perhaps and environmental. My mother had a strong interest in painting, and that introduced me to the world of art. I have always known it was the career for me. When I was little I was sure that everyone wanted to grow up to be artists. Didn't you? What processes (physical and mental) do you tend to follow when creating a new piece of art ?
I really just let my mind flow. An empty mind = a work of art! I surround myself by creative people. Music also helps when all else fails. Where do you seek inspiration for your art; what inspires you ?
I just love bright colours and finding new ways to express myself. Some of my art students inspire me most. I always feel inspired after a visit to an art gallery, walk on the farm, or some time away with friends. What is your favourite colour and why ?
A lot of people ask me this and to me it's like someone asking me which of my children is my favourite. I simply can't choose. On saying this, a colour I've never really liked is black. I never used to allow black into my students' work, however working in the prison environment, black has become a powerful colour to express a range of feelings. So black has crept into my kit box and also into my own latest series of work where I have stopped my signature trait of vibrant colour and have moved to using compressed charcoal combined with white and black oil pastels. What is your favourite creative tool ?
A good glass of chardonnay. Why is art an important part of our everyday lives ?
I think it is really important that everyone has a way of expressing themselves. For a lot of people, art is a great way to release your thoughts and emotions, especially for those who can't do so verbally for various reasons. Sometimes an event may have been too traumatic to express verbally. Art can also be used to identify underlying issues, such as misperceptions of body shapes with people suffering from eating disorders. Also, art is like lyrics to a song, life wouldn't make sense without it! What can you tell our readers about the art scene in your area - any recommendations ?
Hurunui has a vibrant artistic community. I am excited to have just been accepted onto the panel to the Hurunui Arts Assessment Committee which will give me a greater insight to the various projects in our local area. Definitely worth visiting Art in a Garden (Garden of National Significance) in Hawarden North Canterbury at the end of October. See www.artinagarden.co.nz and also the Culverden Country Fete. What creative ideas and plans are in the pipeline for the next 12 months ?
Exhibition and tutoring at Art in a Garden, facilitating workshops and talks at Hanmer Springs Wellness Festival, finishing a mural at Christchurch Women's Prison and beginning one at Christchurch Men's: I am enjoying planning, co-ordinating and working alongside various individuals on these large scale mural projects. I am also facilitating Art Therapy workshops (which I do two days a week) using art materials with youth and adults to identify and address issues. I am completing my Child and Adolescent Diploma this month which has taken me 3 years to do!! Finally, I hope to bring to fruition a large exhibition of some of the emotive and powerful artworks being created in conjunction with Canterbury Prisons towards the end of 2011. If you were not an artist, what would you be ?
Probably an athlete, as I should have really pursued this as my career. (My daughter wrote this as a joke) What makes you laugh out loud ?
My daughter, she is such as crack up! (No guessing who wrote that answer!) If you could make one rule for the world, what would it be ?
That Chess rules controlled the world and I was the Queen! My idea of a perfect Sunday is... ?
At home with my family. | 
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