Description I am currently painting a series of portraits inspired by my recent journey to Japan, where I discovered Kokeshi dolls in an antique store in Osaka. These charming wooden figures, with their expressive faces and minimalist forms, sparked my curiosity about their deeper meaning.

More than just cute souvenirs, Kokeshi dolls embody centuries-old Japanese woodcraft traditions, originating during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE). Each doll, distinguished by its lack of arms and legs and vivid hand-painted patterns, reflects the unique style of its maker and the prefecture from which it hails.

With this collection, I seek to breathe new life into the Kokeshi tradition by giving each doll a highly expressive face while honouring their iconic minimalist design. My goal is to pay homage to the cultural heritage and artistry of these dolls, while offering a contemporary and emotive interpretation of each individual subject.

After a 25-year career in graphic design, I’ve embraced a new creative path as a painter, drawn to the freedom, self-expression, and limitless potential of visual art. Based on the Gold Coast, my work is inspired by the region’s vibrant lifestyle and breathtaking natural surroundings — from sun-soaked beaches to tropical rainforests and rolling countryside.

My style balances two dynamic forces: bold, energetic compositions bursting with colour and joy, and textured abstract pieces featuring monochrome palettes and expressive brushwork. Influenced by my cultural heritage — including ancestral ties to Delft pottery painters in northern France — I often incorporate French graphic text and the iconic blue-and-white palette in fresh, contemporary ways.

Travel plays a vital role in shaping my practice, with recent journeys to Japan, Papua New Guinea, and the French colonial tropics infusing my art with diverse visual languages and cultural motifs. Committed to sustainable methods, I reuse pre-loved canvases and mis-tinted paints, embracing the layered stories they bring.

My work has been exhibited through private collections and galleries including Lethbridge Online Gallery (Brisbane), The Artists Hub (Surfers Paradise), Stevens Street Gallery (Yandina), and GEM Emporium (Pacific Fair). Each piece I create is infused with purpose and joy — art that speaks across cultures and generations.