It quickly turned into obsession and a collecting fever, hence my blog the obsessive hoarder, I now collect all sorts of “junk” to use in my art work. I can’t bear to throw anything away  “in case it comes in handy someday” .My son just shakes his head when I get excited over a piece of rusty metal, and  he just stared in disbelief when I found the fabulous bargain of an old Bakelite telephone for $2 at our local market. He shakes it even more when he looks at how much my art room is expanding  and threatening to take over the house ( lucky he doesn’t live here anymore).

I love learning new techniques and buying the supplies for them just as much. I have just started dabbling in Photoshop and know just enough to realise How much there is to learn in it and what amazing things you can do with it. Unfortunately I don’t have enough time to  play with it as much as I’d like as I have a very demanding full time job that my art work helps me de stress  from.

Over the last year I have been fortunate to take 2 classes with the fabulous Michael de Meng , whose influence is apparent in a lot of my recent work and one with Nina Bagley.

Since taking the classes with Michael I find myself reaching for paint first now instead of paper. But I love paper and still can’t stop myself buying it, then can’t use it ‘cause I don’t want to cut it. Sound familiar?

I belong to several online groups like Paperqueens, Arty Oz, Paperarts which provide a wonderful support network  and monthly challenges and swaps. I love taking part in swaps and all the wonderful people I’ve met this way.  Not to mention all the new ideas.