Cattai Ridge, 1976
watercolour on crumpled Japanese paper

"Her strength is in draftsmanship and sensitive observation of trees and their branching. She discovers lyrical grace in twisting limbs as in 'Bush Moot', 'View of the Lane Cove River', 'Broken Branch'.” ~ Elizabeth Young, The Advertiser (1972)

Watercolours:

The artist favours watercolour for flower and nature studies and has produced countless portrait studies in watercolour, including babies and children.  She sometimes combines watercolour with mixed-media, pen, and pencil, using pure watercolour for landscape compositions and more finished portraits.  The compositions for the artist’s major acrylic paintings are developed through preliminary watercolour sketches.

Her landscape compositions are influenced by the poetic approach of Chinese masters who capture the essence of a scene after immersing themselves in the environment. This all-encompassing perspective is in direct contrast to the limiting “snapshot” view painted at the scene.  In some of her watercolour landscapes she paints on crumpled Japanese paper to create a shimmering textural effect.

Grid view
List view
watercolour, pen or pencil
50 Works to view
50 Works to view
  • Goulburn River (escarpment) 2004
    drafting pen, black ink and sienna ink with watercolour
    32 x 40.2 cm
  • Anatomy of a smile: Mona's bones 2002
    watercolour, gouache and pencil over giclée print
    24 x 19 cm
  • Blossom on branch of West Australian gum 1992
    (Eucalyptus caesia)
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    38 x 50.8 cm
  • Cat in snow, backyard, Weesp, Netherlands 1991
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    41 x 31 cm
  • St Andrew's cross spider in our backyard 1989
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    19.3 x 16 cm
  • Colourful girl on bus, clothing patterns 1989
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    16 x 19.3 cm
  • Kid throwing a tantrum outside Annandale supermarket 1989
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    19.3 x 16 cm
  • Early morning gossip, Johnston St, Annandale 1989
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    19.3 x 16 cm
  • Gymea lily no. 4 1989
    (Doryanthes excelsa)
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    50.8 x 38 cm
  • Frangipanis 1988
    (Plumeria sp.)
    watercolour, white crayon
    56 x 76 cm
  • Woman waiting for bus 1987
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    21 x 29.5 cm
  • Leyla and Stefan at the beach 1986
    watercolour, pencil
    29.5 x 21 cm
  • Sketch of woman wearing headphones on Sydney bus 1986
    pencil, watercolour
    17.5 x 25.8 cm
  • Gossip in Kent Street, Millers Point 1986
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    38 x 51 cm
  • Slate roofs along Kent Street, Millers Point 1986
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    38 x 51 cm
  • Bean alive: growth cycle of beans 1986
    watercolour and drafting pen, green ink
    38 x 51 cm
  • Ash Wednesday bushfire 1986
    aka Ablaze
    watercolour and singed paper collage
    98 x 71 cm
  • Rank Kirby Furniture Factory, Whites Creek, viewed from Annandale 1985
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    28 x 38 cm
  • Children playing in clay, Hudson St, Annandale 1985
    watercolour, black ballpoint pen
    29.5 x 21 cm
  • Pith and pips 1985
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    23 x 22 cm
  • Onion face, welling tears 1985
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    12.5 cm diameter
  • Mr and Mrs Miserable, sliced onion II 1985
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    21 x 24.5 cm
  • Greyhound and washing, Kent Street (washing in wind) 1985
    drafting pen, brown ink and watercolour
    37.2 x 49.9 cm
  • Backyards in Kent Street, Millers Point: Expectant Kerry 1985
    drafting pen, brown ink and watercolour
    41.9–42 × 59.3 cm
  • Backyards in Kent Street, Mrs Mac feeding cats (washing in wind) 1985
    drafting pen, brown ink and watercolour
    37.2 x 49.9 cm
  • Ken smoking 1984
    watercolour, sumi ink
    34.5 x 50.5 cm
  • Jasmine 4 1984
    (Jasminum polyanthum)
    watercolour and drafting pen, green ink
    56 x 74 cm
  • Gramma flowers in one day 1984
    (Cucurbita moschata)
    aka Life cycle of a Gramma Pumpkin Flower, in One Day
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    37 x 50 cm
  • Gum leaves (study for harpsichord lid) 1983
    (Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea)
    watercolour, pencil
    48 x 39.5 cm
  • The Incurable Romantic (Colleen Burke, poet) 1983
    watercolour and collage on panel
    100 x 77.5 cm
  • Stacking steel beams, WH Williams & Sons factory, Silverwater 1980
    pencil, black and blue ballpoint pens and watercolour
    42 x 29.7 cm
  • Metal workers, WH Williams & Sons factory, Silverwater 1980
    pencil, black and blue ballpoint pens and watercolour
    42 x 29.7 cm
  • Mountain Lagoon Rd (Colo Heights) 1977
    drafting pen, brown ink and watercolour
    36.9 x 54 cm
  • View St, Annandale with Balmain Power House 1977
    drafting pen, black ink and watercolour
    36.9 x 54 cm
  • Rocky incline, Old Northern Road 1976
    watercolour and drafting pen, brown ink
    56 x 38 cm
  • Corner shop Annandale, Piper and View Sts - 'Shelley's Famous Drinks' 1972
    watercolour, black ballpoint pen
    20 x 25 cm
  • Corner shop Annandale, Piper and View Sts - 'Groceries' 1972
    watercolour, black ballpoint pen
    20 x 25 cm
  • Corner shop Annandale, Piper and View Sts - 'Billy Tea' 1972
    watercolour, black ballpoint pen
    20 x 25 cm
  • Indian family in Glebe Point Road 1972
    watercolour, black ballpoint pen
    20 x 33 cm
  • Three trees 1961
    watercolour, crayon
    39 x 56 cm
  • Aunty Dot's pet hen at Ivymeade 1961
    watercolour and dip pen, black ink
    57.5 x 39 cm
  • Uncle Ted in dressing gown 1960
    aka Uncle Ted listening
    watercolour, dip pen and ink, crayon
    53.1 x 35.7 cm
  • Two gums, Frome Road, Adelaide 1959
    watercolour, pencil and Cray-Pas
    37.5 x 26.5 cm
  • Gulls and workmen, Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide 1959
    aka Workers at the Port
    watercolour and drafting pen, black ink
    25.5 x 27 cm (irreg.)
  • Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide 1959
    watercolour, white crayon
    46 x 33.8 cm
  • Off-loading, Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide 1959
    watercolour and dip pen, black ink
    24.9 x 39.8 cm (var.)
  • Bill asleep with toy koala 1958
    verso: Kurrajong pods
    watercolour, pencil underdrawing
    36.8 x 26.8 cm
  • Aunty Dot's hens at Grandpa's workshop 1958
    watercolour, pencil underdrawing
    26.9 x 34.7(t)–34.9(b) cm (var.)
  • Brother Bill, apprehensive 1957
    watercolour, pencil underdrawing
    37.2 x 27 cm
  • Mount Gipps, Broken Hill 1957
    watercolour, pencil underdrawing
    23.2(l)–22.8(r) x 36.4 cm (irreg.)

Watercolours : watercolour, pen or pencil 50 Works
Watercolours : watercolour, pen or pencil 50 Works

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