I was brought up on an idyllic 20 acres of coastal rainforest.
My Father was hugely enthusiastic about native plants particularly species Orchids – expeditions into the bush and swamps were frequent with the glorious outcome of trees full of tiny fragrant blooms and perfume outside my bedroom window.
My Mother was well and truly over children, so I was largely free to play down on the beach with my friends – pebbles, shells and a visiting blue fish in the rock pool. At 4.30 the Swiss cow bell would be rung and I would go home for dinner.
Although it may have seemed a lonely life, nothing could have been more isolating than going to boarding school – like many artists content in ones own company, it was a shock to discover there were now rules and loud people and ball games.
Two wonderful worlds were hiding there however – The Library and The Art Room – in both cases, they were run by truly imaginative and inspiring people, whose gifts I have never forgotten.
Edwardian in attitude, my parents would not allow me to take up the Commonwealth scholarship to the National Art School – instead I read Philosophy but luckily met the daughter of a Geologist working in Saudi Arabia – visiting with her and then travelling throughout the Levant, Israel and Greece ( naturally reading the Alexandria Quartet and Homer all the while) I felt I had found one more spiritual home in those ancient landscapes and fabulous souks.
Returning to an Australia that seemed arid in more than landscape , I succumbed to the moraes of the time, married and had children (greatly Loved) and largely put aside my artistic practice other than the odd stint with Desiderios Orban and Andrew Sibley – yet always felt I was an Artist.
But in marrying Dip Jadeja, a Rajput born in Kenya and educated in England, I found myself part of a generous encouraging family, who added another layer of exotic understanding and spices !!
Finally back at the National Art School, I completed my degree but then The Work really began.
And it continues, this is the wonder of Art – each day brings fresh challenges, delights and frustrations but it is never ever dull.
Although I loved travel to exotic places, its here in my own land that I come in touch with ancient Rhythms and songs and now, hope to soon move to the country to be even closer – so, that they can sing to me and I can hear it.
