surface pattern designer + illustrator + teacher
I love creating designs that spark joy in the world. I also love teaching others about all things design.
My favourite mantra is…
I live in a beautiful semi-rural town in Australia, with my hubby and two kids, who are the loves of my life. (You can see how cute we are in the snap below!)
Before starting my design business over 15 years ago, I worked in a few different areas – as a primary school teacher, retail assistant, finance manager and even a beauty salon owner.
But it was actually a really scary cancer diagnosis some years ago that changed my career trajectory, when I started using art as therapy to get through some pretty tough days. Art saved my life. It calmed me, helped me to dream and hope, and literally sparked joy and sunshine in my darkest days.
I’m grateful to be one of the lucky ones – a survivor and thriver after two different cancer diagnoses. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but I’ll never forget what positivity art gifted to me at some of the most challenging times in my life.
So creating beauty and sparking joy in the world through art and design remains one of my greatest passions, even after all these years. And to add to all the fun, I also get to teach graphic design, digital illustration, interior design and surface pattern design to others too – what more could a creative soul ask for?
A few of my favourite things:
- My beautiful family & friends
- The beach, bush & travel adventures
- Overflowing bookshelves & dinner tables
- Singing & dancing like nobody’s watching
Some other tidbits:
- My favourite work of art is Van Gogh’s Starry Night (and I got to see it in all its glory at the MoMA New York in 2011).
- I’ve kicked cancer’s butt not once, but twice!
- I did the Paris Marathon in April 2012, raised over $20k for the National Breast Cancer Foundation doing it and have the medal to prove it.
- I wrote a kid’s book called Mrs T’s Kooky Pants, dedicated to my sister who died from cancer. It was endorsed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation and helped raise funds for cancer research, while explaining a crappy reality of life to kids in a gentle way.
Whether you’re in need of some beautiful fabric for your next fashion or interiors project, or an art print or gorgeous wallpaper to brighten up your walls, I’d love to help.
Head over to my shop now for a unique selection of products!
