Access Arts Inc® - The Key to Success in the Arts

My art reflects the many different aspects and my love for life. My earlier paintings were mostly from the heart and imagination. In the last three years I have concentrated on completing a series of paintings on one theme, such as my life story. I also like painting achievements of people with disabilities as well as Paralympics sport.

My art has made me focus on the story behind my work. My involvement in art has also broadened my outlook on life. Growing up in a house with over a 100 paintings I became interested in art at an early age. I was inspired by many artists from visiting art galleries with my father. I was also inspired by my father's own art collection. My father encouraged to me to continue with my art. I have experimented with different techniques and media including acrylic, water colour and oils, but I have a preference for acrylic because of the intensity of colour. I use vibrant bright contrasting colours. I also started adding pastels into my art to create different effects.

My early work reflected the subject matter of sports and animals. Around five years ago I started including my life story in my paintings. I concentrated on a series of paintings that responded to common sayings in our language. In 2005 I experimented with mixed media, incorporating acrylic and pastels. I then progressed to using positive and negative space, including abstract ideas and using larger canvases.

The role that art plays in living with my disability is that it has provided opportunities for me to meet other people in the arts with disabilities. Art has been part of my life since childhood. My disability has affected my art work in the subject matter that I choose to paint. My paintings tell stories of courage and determination, giving voice to how I see the world and allowing my creative side to express my strong stand on life. My disability has given me more time to consider and reflect on my art in general.