[SUBLURBAN FLORA series]

Acrylic on canvas

40 x 40cm

March 2020

This Tudor tale of seduction is set in the yew maze of Hever Castle. In the spring of 1526, King Henry VIII is struck with the dart of love, captivated by the charms of Anne Boleyn at court. Anne, however, is already in love with Lord Henry Percy and they are secretly engaged to be married. Under Henry’s orders, Cardinal Wolsey annuls the engagement and banishes Anne to Hever Castle, her childhood home in Kent.

Shortly after, Henry begins to write love letters to Anne, his passionate words depicted in the maze by strewn Lancaster and York roses on the path leading to the centre. When Anne refuses to become his mistress, as her sister had been, Henry follows his heart and loses his head to the addiction, mania and obsession symptomatic of his infatuation. He breaks from the church of Rome so he can marry Anne but her inability to give Henry an heir means that she reigns for just 1000 days. Henry lays charges of incest and adultery against Anne and orders her execution by beheading in May 1536. Martyr, heroine and the most influential queen consort in English history, Anne loses her head protesting her innocence and devotion to the king to the very end.

Available to purchase

Painted for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, March 2020 (cancelled due to Coronavirus)

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[STAY GOLD series]

Acrylic on canvas (unframed)

50.5 x 50.5cm

February 2018

Heathcliff, it’s me, Coralie. Come home, I’m so cold. Let me in through your window. ~ Kate Bush

So, millenials, before Lorde there was Kate Bush. Things I have in common with this babooshka: born in Kent, went to school in Ashford, lived in Eltham (London, Straya… whatevs), read Wuthering Heights, and became the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song, aged just 19. Last one just Kate actually. Also technically 1978.

The woman with burning sunset eyes is called Coralie. At first I thought Coral because it sounds a bit Eighties, but I think she’s on a French beach in the Med so… you know. Then I googled it: “Coralie” is a popular 19th century jewel baby name from the name of the pink semi-precious sea growth used to make jewellery and ornaments. Cha-ching! We’re on the same page.

INSTANT ORANGE CRUSH is inspired by sun worship, the beach sunsets of oversized 1980s wallpaper posters and the overblown pop love songs by empowered diva heroines of the same decade. It explores the nostalgia we feel for past loves through rose tinted sunglasses and questions the idea that nothing gold can stay.

This painting has been powered by Whitney, Tina, Annie, Madonna and Kate.

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