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About AndreaI'm an artist, illustrator and sailor. I live with my husband Jim on Island Prism, a gloriously yellow 36' sailboat which doubles as our home and my floating art studio. Now based in the waters of British Columbia, our adventures together have included voyaging from New Zealand through Vanuatu, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia to Thailand. We've cruised Queensland, sailed from Sydney to Hobart, circumnavigated New Zealand's North Island and explored the beautiful islands of the South Pacific.
You can read more about our Pacific voyages and see my sketchbooks over in the Log Book. |
InspirationMy art is inspired by the sea. I am fascinated by the movements and endless colours of water, and am drawn to the flowing nature of watercolours which give me a physical connection to my subject. Using rippling shapes, I capture the motion of wind and waves. Swirling fine white lines of untouched paper give my paintings a sense of life, light and movement. I do not use a resist, but rely on my brushes and a steady hand! Vibrant colours and layers of translucent pigment create the sensation of looking beneath the water, letting me transport the viewer to ocean and islands.
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Artist Journey
I was one of those kids who was always painting, drawing or making something, and gleefully played with art supplies until it was time to go to university. I studied History and Education, doodled in my sketchbook and had folders full of colourfully illustrated notes about early hominids and medieval women. Embarking on my teaching career, I also gave in to my wanderlust, exploring Europe and Asia before leaving England to move to New Zealand. Occassionally I'd illustrate my travel journals but tended to listen to my nagging inner critic. My paints were soon languishing in a drawer, my pencils forgotten.
On a visit back to England in 2013, I pulled out my folder of art from my school days. The work was much better than I remembered, and I began to feel like I was missing something from my life. My husband Jim and I were sailing round Malaysia at the time, and when we flew back I was armed with a new sketchbook, courtesy of my Mum. I spent the next few months sketching pitcher plants, proboscis monkeys, elephants and hornbills before returning to my school in New Zealand. I signed up for online classes to help me stay inspired and motivated, and developed a daily drawing habit. Daily drawing made a difference. By the time we went sailing again in 2017, I had renewed confidence in my creativity and had a pile of sketchbooks on board Island Prism.
I experimented my way across the Pacific Ocean, exploring techniques and gradually developing my own style. When we reached Vancouver Island, another sailor loved one of my paintings so much that they bought it. Encouraged, I applied for and was accepted into my first art shows. I kept painting, and embarked on life as a full time artist.
I am an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Other creative milestones have included seeing my work hung in the offices of BC Premier John Horgan and holding solo art shows at Coast Collective and the Cedar Hill Arts Centre in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 I was Artist-in-Residence at the Delta Ocean Pointe in Victoria and participated in plein air events including the TD Victoria Art Gallery Paint-In on Moss Street. My work has shown in a number of group shows including 'AIMAE' at the Canadian Federation of Artists in May 2019 and 2020, 'In Conversation' at Coast Collective in 2019, 'Winter Treasures' at the Port Moody Art Centre in 2018 and 2019 and 'Look Show' at Victoria Arts Council in 2019. I am represented by South Shore Gallery in Sooke and you can also find greeting cards and small artworks at Willow and Wallflower in Port Moody.
I want my watercolours to spread joy, to kindle a sense of adventure and to spark an awareness of the wonderful beauty and delicate ecosystems that make up the Pacific North West.
On a visit back to England in 2013, I pulled out my folder of art from my school days. The work was much better than I remembered, and I began to feel like I was missing something from my life. My husband Jim and I were sailing round Malaysia at the time, and when we flew back I was armed with a new sketchbook, courtesy of my Mum. I spent the next few months sketching pitcher plants, proboscis monkeys, elephants and hornbills before returning to my school in New Zealand. I signed up for online classes to help me stay inspired and motivated, and developed a daily drawing habit. Daily drawing made a difference. By the time we went sailing again in 2017, I had renewed confidence in my creativity and had a pile of sketchbooks on board Island Prism.
I experimented my way across the Pacific Ocean, exploring techniques and gradually developing my own style. When we reached Vancouver Island, another sailor loved one of my paintings so much that they bought it. Encouraged, I applied for and was accepted into my first art shows. I kept painting, and embarked on life as a full time artist.
I am an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Other creative milestones have included seeing my work hung in the offices of BC Premier John Horgan and holding solo art shows at Coast Collective and the Cedar Hill Arts Centre in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 I was Artist-in-Residence at the Delta Ocean Pointe in Victoria and participated in plein air events including the TD Victoria Art Gallery Paint-In on Moss Street. My work has shown in a number of group shows including 'AIMAE' at the Canadian Federation of Artists in May 2019 and 2020, 'In Conversation' at Coast Collective in 2019, 'Winter Treasures' at the Port Moody Art Centre in 2018 and 2019 and 'Look Show' at Victoria Arts Council in 2019. I am represented by South Shore Gallery in Sooke and you can also find greeting cards and small artworks at Willow and Wallflower in Port Moody.
I want my watercolours to spread joy, to kindle a sense of adventure and to spark an awareness of the wonderful beauty and delicate ecosystems that make up the Pacific North West.
Let's be friends! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest, where I share works-in-progress and peeks into my studio. To be the first to access new collections and to receive exclusive goodies like downloads and discounts, sign up for my newsletter. Or send me an email if you have questions or just want to say 'hi'!
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