Blue Dog Dreams Pareidolia is a large oil painting on stretched canvas, with white gesso edges. The title refers to the tendency common with artists in particular, to see images and shapes in the clouds and rocks that look like something recognisable, like a face, animal or object. In this painting, the dog is transfixed by the magnificent dawn sky, inspired by one of the many gorgeous sunrises I am privileged to witness over Curl Curl beach each morning. Please note that if shipped outside Australia, I will remove from stretchers and send rolled in a tube.

When I was younger living in the Highlands of Scotland, magic mushrooms grew everywhere at a certain time of year. We picked them and did my fair share of experimenting. It was then, over forty years ago, I began to awaken to the idea that this world is not just three dimensional. Whether it's simply hallucinations, or a parting of the veil into other worlds I cannot say. The only thing I know is that now, older, wiser, but still interested in "other worlds" within myself. I meditate a lot, and as anyone who does knows, one is often visited by images of different phenomena. I won't get too deep because it is different for everyone. I'm only telling you this to explain my art a little. Actually though, I prefer people to project their own meanings into it. Yes, I did that too and it was profound.

This is a collection of stuff that happened to be on the dining table one day. The big round pot is a Moroccan tagine, given to us as a gift. The fruit, the bowls, nicely wonky because I made them a few years ago when I was still learning to throw on the pottery wheel, and a catalogue from Kerrie Lester's fast show all combine it make some delicious colour. I am particularly fond of that pink and brown combo with its rich and warm vibes.
There is no dog in this one, and don't worry, the snake is painted onto the bowl and he is friendly.

I'm obsessed about the ceramic cakes I made and enjoy painting them together with other treasured items. Each item has a story. The clock very basic travelling clock my Grandfather took with him to Suvla Bay in WW1. The cake is the ceramic creation Fish Out of Water Cake, inspired by the painting of the same name. Pink is warm, comforting and cheerful. The dog represents love and makes me smile. The cup is wonky because it was made by me. The jug is a green glass jug I use a lot. Well, well, well, is a wish and a question. Be Well is my blessing to the viewer.

I love painting from my imagination, and the particular process I use helps me find the thing that want to be expressed. In this case, it is about visualising peace in the world, peace in my heart and trying to hold the line amongst the chaos and complexity of life. The painting depicts a woman meditating. She is focused on the balls of light, visualising in each something she would like to manifest. She is aware of the "monkey mind", the ever-present intrusive chatter in our heads whenever we meditate. Still, she focuses on the light, and her vision of her desired creations, practicing still, focused attention.

Unfinished Business is a term often used in general therapy to name an unsolved relationship dynamic. Every one of us has relationships that are unfinished in some way. The things we wish we had or hadn't said or done. Sometimes, it's possible to resolve these within ourselves, even with people who have died or left in some other way. This painting is the beginning of that exploration.

I like spotty dogs. This is a red one reading the breeze as she trots across the rocks. The sky is dramatic and hypnotic. The waves are building. There is a sense of space and freedom in the air. The dog is surreal and symbolic. In my world, dogs symbolise unconditional love, awe, wonder and joy. They embody “the present moment” like no other creature on this planet (as far as I am aware). Perhaps I put them in my work to remind me that all these things are my aspirations.