The Merrijig

The Merrijig epitomises much that I love about living in this part of Victoria. Not only because I enjoy fine dining, but because this building is full of character: the way the corner is shaved back to form an entrance into the bar; the pitch of the roof with the gable windows and the asymmetrical windows on the ground floor, and so many other fascinating details. I can imagine the old salts, crossing over from the wharf in the 1800s, to have a drink or several at the bar, before rolling back to their berth or one of the fishermen's cottages again.

With Norfolk Pines lining Gipps Street in front and olive trees lining Campbell Street to the side, the shadows move restlessly around the Merrijig all day long.

Framed in raw oak.

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I am an artist and author who loves looking for the stories in life and in the world around me, and have spent most of my life telling stories through words and with paint. My novels, short fiction and non-fiction have been published in the United Kingdom and Australia. Several years ago, I decided to dedicate more time to art, and it's a decision I'm delighted I made because I find painting wonderfully absorbing and rewarding. Making a canvas or board spring to life with light and colour, shadows and highlights, is an amazing feeling, and having other people enjoy that work is even better!

Emigrating to Australia over 35 years ago, my first impressions were of the scale of the landscape and sky, the depth of the horizon, the brightness of the light, the vividness of colours and sharpness of contrast, but familiarity has in no way dulled this for me. On the contrary, painting helps me continue to learn to see these qualities in every day life; aspects of which I in turn try to capture in my work.