I was raised in the Northern Rivers of NSW, where the coastal landscape, salty air, fresh rainforests and water have been part of my daily life. Byron Bay Art Life brings together my long-standing love of the natural world, art and human psychology, along with a deep appreciation for life in this place I call home.

My early interest in art was inspired by the freedom I saw in the work of Brett Whiteley and Fiona Nicholls. I went on to study Illustration at the Queensland College of Art, where I was fortunate to learn from illustrators Armin Greder and the late Chris McKimmie. I graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Illustration.

My art practice is primarily mixed media and has always been centred on the process of making rather than exhibiting or selling work. I’m interested in how colour, texture, scale and line, can communicate emotion and atmosphere. Some of my work has found its way into private collections in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

For five years, I lived and worked at Anahata Yoga Retreat as a cofounder, where mindfulness, yoga, and permaculture were a part of my daily life and creative practice. Later, I spent two years as Artist in Residence with the Permaforest Trust, a community inspired by ecological systems. During this time, I explored ideas from emergence theory and integral systems in relation to art practice.

By 2005, I had completed Honours in Visual Arts at Southern Cross University. During this period, I was navigating the loss of my mother to Alzheimer's disease and my first pregnancy. This dual experience deepened my interest in life and health. I could see creative potential, and I could see and feel blocked creative potential in my experience of life and art.

This eventually led me to study psychology. In my work now, I support individuals to reflect on life experiences, gain perspective on present challenges and develop practical skills for navigating change. My approach is trauma-informed, values-driven and draws on a variety of evidence-based methods, including art therapy.

Alongside individual therapy work, Byron Bay Art Life also offers nature-based art walks. These small group experiences combine walking in natural environments with simple drawing and reflective practices. The aim is not to create finished artwork, but to slow down, pay attention and reconnect with the natural world and creativity in a relaxed and supportive setting.

My work across both psychology and art is guided by a simple interest in how creativity, reflection and connection to the natural world can support wellbeing and a sense of belonging.