Born in Auckland to European parents, I am a first generation New Zealander.  My early childhood was spent crafting and sewing with my mum, and in the workshop and kitchen with my dad, while being dragged around demolition yards to find the treasures to restore the historic Cardrona Hotel, a relic from the 1860s gold rush era in Central Otago, that my parents had bought to restore in 1974.  I share this, as I feel extremely privileged to have had such a unique childhood and feel it shaped so much of who I am, particularly the unique set of skills that I acquired, that now allows me to create my bold mixed media 3D wall hung artworks.  

My early interest in fashion design, draping, wearable arts, along with my inspiration from the likes of Jim Dine, Anselm Kiefer and Robert Rausenberg, came through in my painting, and I ended up ditching the traditional flat surfaces.  I started using actual clothing as my canvas, creating artworks that are a fusion of assemblage, painting and sculpture.  Antlers, butterflies, rusted tools, vintage petticoats… My years in vintage stores were embedded in my soul.