During the winter of 2004 I decided to go on an extensive three month solitary retreat at her homestead in Barra Glen, Iona.

“I am a Shambahala practioner and a Catholic and have been meditating daily for the past fifteen years. I usually took a week long solitary retreat at Big Hill Retreat each winter. When I realised my old home was going to be sold I wanted to spend some time there alone (without my five children) to say good bye.”

Part of the retreat was to paint, undisturbed, the local scenery. I finished twelve landscape panels, 16 x 20 inches, and a canvas 2.5 x 4 feet of the old house and surroundings. During this time my attitude towards my work changed and I dropped all forms of aggression and started to persuade the art rather than try to demand from it.

“I don't know if my style of painting changed but I certainly enjoy what I do a lot more since that time.”

The panals can be seen on the On Retreat gallery