Peacock Splendour

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Born in 1963 to Slovenian parents, I divided my first 20 years between Australia and Slovenia. My love for art took root in early childhood. I vividly recall the arrival of my first mail-order acrylic paint set and a "How-to-paint" book featuring a classic lesson on painting a fruit bowl. Discouraged from pursuing Art School, I relegated my dreams to a hobby and became self-taught.

At seventeen, during a visit to Switzerland to see a friend, I found myself with only 20 Swiss Francs. I chose to invest half in paper and paints. After painting all night, I sold three paintings the next day, which luckily saved me from a bind.

I've always been drawn to a variety of mediums—oils, acrylics, gouache, pastels, and lately, watercolors. My goal? To capture both light and emotion. I recall as a teenager pondering if paint could be used in such a way that it breathes life into a canvas. This curiosity has stayed with me over time. Each medium offers a unique avenue for self-expression, yet the subtle conveyance of emotion and vitality remains my never-ending challenge and aspiration.

I am inspired by Australia's vast beauty, the diverse landscape, colourful birdlife, amazing flora and fauna! I am mesmerised by the power of the sun and am in awe of great artists both past (Vincent Van Gogh) and present such as Thomas Schwaller and Alvaro Castagnet.