Moths are nocturnal creatures. They go largely unnoticed, but are always there, and rarely alone. With no conclusive reason why they are so drawn towards brightness we assume they use the light of the moon as a constant bearing to navigate. In it’s absence they adjust their course towards man-made light or otherwise. When they unexpectedly arrive at the destination they never actually intended to reach they remain stuck in an endless spiral, but they persist. Determined. They are graceful, fragile, vulnerable creatures, yet remain connected to their community of travelling companions, feeling their way along their journey.

Fall..."and when I fall let me fall like a leaf, gracefully"...each oak leaf, fallen from the tree, is like the death of one member of our community...gently floating to the ground, coming to rest, not spent... re-nutrifying the ground for the new season of growth...the connection with community continues...

Living with a terminal illness and grief can feel like living in a bubble. Removed from the world’s colour of activity. An invisible barrier that can offer protection but can also keep emotion, conversation, support and even love from being shared. Offering a hand. Connecting through touch. Just holding hands, be it clinging tightly by finger tips or gently held can provide support and care with a wrapping of light, colour and warmth. A connection to community. Arms are positioned to show either is able to support the other and folds of the dress represent the wrinkles of life.

The painting depicts sitting by my Grandfather’s bedside. It is painted on coarse hessian, a difficult medium to work on. Many elderly represent linchpins within communities, past and present. My Grandfather accepted and helped many, and through his stories, passed on the beneficent values of less affluent times, including the Great Depression. As word of his failing health spread, family, neighbours, friends, nurses, carers, church folk came - helping, talking and laughing. I opened the door to a stranger who had been given his first job by Grandpa - he had been many things to many people.

Frangapani for Life is reflective of my own feelings for my mother and my connection to the community I live within. Mum lived in the tropics for all of her life, the frangapani is representative of mums community roots. My mother had the strength to withstand tough challenges and we shared an intense love and a ever lasting bond as not just mother and daughter but best friends. Her spirit and immortality through my artwork will span multiple lifetimes. My artworks message is; Being delicate and beautiful doesn't mean you are weak or incapable of rising to meet a challenge.

Tasha our dog was dying and we took her to a last walk on the beach. It connected us with many walking people asking about Tasha, why was she in a bag? and we talked about death and dying with many, it was very special...