Meet the Artist

Vanessa began painting during her teens, but a career path in hospitality and tourism took priority until the birth of her first child in 2008. New to parenting, she began reducing her work hours in guiding and accommodation management to spend more time in the studio and with new baby. In 2012, fourteen months after the birth of her second child, her marriage ended and she faced the journey of being a sole parent and working mum. 

As an artist, she is proud to share the unique beauty and wildlife we are exposed to. Vanessa is a strong believer and advocate of ‘Arts for Conservation’. Many of her subjects are from rehabilitation or wildlife care facilities so as to highlight and raise awareness for the need for conservation of our most vulnerable native species and their habitats.

The development of the “Helping Hands” print series is one of my ongoing ‘Arts for Conservation’ projects. Helping hands is a limited series print created to help raise the profile of the Tasmanian Devil and Devil Facial Tumour Disease. From this project, Vanessa has donated over $5000 towards the Devil fund to date.

Helping Hands - Series 1 Sold Out	Helping Hands - Series 2 Sold Out	Helping Hands - Series 3 Available in Print sales

In 2017, Vanessa was a finalist in the Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Bird Painters – Caloundra, QLD

In 2018, Vanessa was a finalist in the Bay of Fires Art Prize – St Helens, Tasmania.

In 2022, Vanessa was a finalist in the Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Bird Painters - Caloundra, Qld

The Majority of Vanessa’s work is now sold via commission and while wildlife is her chosen subject, she is a highly recommended pet portrait Artist.

Vanessa’s 15yr interpretive guiding experience has provided the perfect platform to interact with Tasmania’s diverse environment and experience some very unique wildlife encounters. “We live in one of the best natural wildlife sanctuaries in the world”.