My Story
Pippy & Me
Childhood
Born in the early 1970s I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia.
Nicknamed Joey by family and friends I spent my childhood roaming local beaches, rock pools, coves, and headlands.
As a teenager, I frequented my parents' weekender in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales where I explored the local bushland on horseback and swam in creeks, dams, and waterholes.
I also met a young man, Simon, who ten years later became my husband.
Family life
Undecided on country or coast living Simon and I tried both before settling in a small rural town in the hinterland of Sunshine Coast, Queensland. As Maleny fulfils our dream of a country lifestyle near the coast we live in the same home purchased twenty (plus) years ago when I was pregnant with our son, Darcy.
Art & textiles
Like my coastal country life, I have also lived a creative duality between paint and textiles. Throughout my career as an artist, I have worked with and studied both mediums and continue to move between the two in my daily art practice. My work reflects my reverence and spiritual connection to nature. I wish for my work to act like a portal, for you (the viewer) to be transported to other-worldly places.
Education
An avid lifelong learner and desire to be a consummate maker I have spent the majority of my life studying various things from floral arranging, millinery, soft sculpture, photography, eco-dyeing, micro-computing, and even sign language! Too many workshops to mention them all.
Wanting to delve deeper into knowledge than what short courses and workshops can offer my formal education includes a Diploma in Textiles (2007), a Bachelor of Fine Art (2018), and an Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy (2023).
For seven years I chipped away part-time at my degree between work and family commitments. I spent the majority of my son’s school years studying, first fashion then art. In 2018 when he graduated high school I finally graduated from university. In 2023, he graduated university as my study journey come to a close with the completion of my art therapy qualification.
Enchanted by Nature
I worked as an art consultant for a local gallery when COVID hit. I spent our first lockdown painting the interior of my home and studio. This gave me a lot of time to reflect on what I wanted to do moving forward. I decided going back to my art practice was what I needed to do for both my career and wellbeing. And so, Enchanted by Nature, an art business to incorporate my creative pursuits in art and textiles was born.
Wattle Bloom Art Therapy
I recognise the therapeutic benefits art and nature have played throughout my life and want to share that gift with others. With the completion of my Transpersonal Art Therapy qualification I started a private practice. Wattle Bloom Art Therapy, the therapeutic branch of Enchanted by Nature where we work together using art and nature to promote wellbeing.
Thank you for reading about me, I hope to get to know you too. Feel free to contact me with any enquires.
Warm regards,
Jo.
Formal Qualifications
Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Therapy (Art Therapy)
College of Complimentary Medicine, New South Wales
2023
Bachelor of Art (Fine Art)
Curtin University, Western Australia.
2018
Diploma of Clothing, Textiles, & Footwear
Sunshine Coast TAFE, Queensland
2007
Memberships
ANZACATA The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association.
Flying Arts Alliance Inc. Connecting regional Queensland to the Arts.
Insurance
Associated insurance to both memberships listed above.