I love painting. Paper, canvas, board, acrylic, oil, ink, brush, knife, my fingers all allow me to make something I love to look at. Paintings have so much to discover; the way a brush stroke expresses movement, the way two juxtaposed colours create drama, how all the elements draw your eyes around the content to tell a story. Creating and appreciating a painting gifts us with mindfulness. A painting always has something new to say every time you look at it.

Drama inspires me. I love the light and lines I see in nature. I use those same elements in my abstract pieces. When I see a landscape with strong lighting, high contrast and strong vibrant colours, I try to represent it in my work. I love looking at opposites, they can clash while also complementing each other. A bright day, with the sun's rays falling on nature, juxtaposed with the a dark shadow, sparks my creativity.

I would elevate the scope of my practice. I'd also like to start an art retreat for people who say "I can't draw a straight line!" As children, we all drew pictures, over time we become "serious adults" leaving behind our reverie. This retreat, which would be in a beautiful natural place, would help people to recapture their creativity and find mindfulness in their lives by making art.