LANDSCAPE SERIESMy paintings are a celebration of nature and a recognition of the healing properties that its beauty offers us. In our frenetic world of today I feel that this is more important than ever, and that beauty can serve as an uplifting reminder of the preciousness of our planet.In this landscape series I paint with many glazes of transparent hues, building up a richness of both colour and texture. My brushstrokes follow the realism of the landscape as well as revealing wild flowing passages. Working up the multiple layers of colour glazes brings me much joy as I watch the images appearing more fully with each stage of the process. I hope that I can transfer that feeling of delight to the viewer as they gaze at these evocative scenes.I came across the idea that a painting can slow down time, that it is a gift of anti-speed, surely a healing balm in today’s world. The onlooker can wander through the painted landscape at leisure, following the colour changes, brushstrokes, perspectives and light effects, and be drawn into a timeless experience.MarilynTREE SERIESWatercolour and AcrylicTrees are sentinels of the earth, witness to passing time, to change, but also to unending renewal. I am fascinated by their myriad forms, their patterns, colours and the aura of mystery that surrounds them. Each has it's own unique expression of life, and I strive to portray this vibrant quality and depth in my paintings. I aim to transform their living essence into painted creations that flow with their own life, drawing the viewer into wondrous reflections of our world.Artist's MethodAt first glance my paintings are highly realistic, yet I build them as abstract constructions. My creative process begins with the camera, as I compose each subject to capture a sense of both balance and drama. These photos are used as my working models for the paintings to follow.I fully use the expressive nature of watercolour, encouraging combinations of granulation, flow and transparency to build images of jewel-like layers of colour and richness. I search for the patterns of underlying energy, aiming to capture the mysterious essence of all that surrounds us in nature. ECHO CAIRN SCULPTURESThese new sculptures titled Echo Cairns, continue the ongoing theme of Echoes that I have been fascinated with for many years. I explore the relationship between the magic of millions of years old minerals and miniature painted landscapes. Each echoes the other in colour and mood, creating a shared visual play and dialogue.I am stacking these minerals, combining them with sculptural mixed media elements and accents of Venetian glass murine. The colours, forms and emerging spirit of each sculpture then inspire my miniature painted landscapes placed within and enhanced by the structure of the crystals.I aim to beckon the viewer into a condensed world of beauty expressed by the glittering crystals and the dreamlike landscapes ECHOES SERIESAcrylic on Panel with Natural CrystalsThis series has evolved as a very personal expression of landscapes that I encounter. These images are my deeply felt views of Nature, both seen and hidden.I am inspired to paint these panoramas real and imagined, by the beauty and mystery of these ancient crystals, formed billions of years ago deep inside our planet.I am seduced by the grandeur and the fragility of Nature and by the infinitely changing display of life that surrounds us. As I glaze layer upon layer of transparent paint, I am on a quest to create a visual image of this reverence.I lose myself in the dance between my painted landscapes and the ever mysterious natural crystal formations. A resonance of abstract poetic echoes between the two is my goal.Artist's MethodI choose natural crystals that have especially beautiful markings, colours and textures. I am inspired by the stone to paint a land view that creates a visual flow between the two. Each painting is built by layering many glazes of acrylic colour on wood panel, producing a brilliant depth to the image. The crystals and paintings each have their own complex character - one from the artist's hand, the other from the earth.I have framed the paintings and sculptural chunks of minerals together in deep Shadowbox frames. These heighten the overall 3-dimensionality of the compositions in a dramatic way, with each frame chosen for its contribution to the overall colour theme.DREAMING THE WORLD SERIESMixed MediaWe cannot know the mysteries surrounding us by only logic or reason, but by realizing the presence of truth in our intuitions and dreams. We all see and interpret the world in our own way. Although each of us looks out upon a distinct and personal reality, we share in our inner beings an underlying connection to soul and spirit. The living dance of the world envelops us, and we dream it to life together.Artist's MethodI reach towards an expression of our world through multiple layers of images, each reflecting a distinct part of reality. It is my dreams of the connectedness of all that inspire these juxtapositions and blendings. The materials I use range from acrylics, inks, watercolour, reflective additions, and pastel - all inspire my creative process. NATURE'S JEWEL SERIESThroughout history flowers have been regarded as symbols of the beauty and regeneration of Nature. The ancient Mystery teachings held that we are in part a product of our environment, and that beauty is essential to the natural unfoldment of the human soul. There is harmony and peace in the beauty of flowers that lifts and nurtures our spirits. We can be moved to wonder and joy by these gifts of nature. I feel that this is a much needed haven in the super paced world that surrounds us today.In this series of paintings I strive to express this with complex colour changes at each stroke of the brush, with multiple layers, and with dramatic effects of light. The flows of liquid paint that border and surround the image are like the forces of elemental energy and creation.Flowers reflect the mystery of life in all their glorious, endless variations, and my paintings are a celebration of these jewels of Nature.