Yes, I”m getting desperate, today, Ive decided to have a whinge for a change about the lack of interest in the arts and artists in this country.

A few questions that have filled my head lately.

Isn’t my art good enough???? maybe I’m too old to think I can make a go of it, do I have to be 18, an art school graduate, into new media, to get recognized?

Is there someone out there willing to give a middle aged artist a break in Australia, an exhibition or representation that wont cost a fortune where the artist will benefit also. Not just the gallery directors or agents, who make their living from the artists by demanding extraordinarily high fees, so there is no need for them to market , promote and sell the artists work for them to make their living.

As an artist, I create every living hour in between sleep and eating year after year .

I could have been an artist from an early age but circumstances in my life changed and I became a single mother of 3 for 18 years.I built myself a home studio in the later years so I could be there for my children everyday. Over the past 18 years I have dedicated my life to creating, including going back to college to study art. My children have all left home now so Ive been able to give all my time to my art.

I have even chosen not to have relationships as interruptions may stop me from doing what I have to do with my art .I paint in oils, create sculpture from found objects, draw, make collage, assemblage and photography, including experimenting with video and sound and installation. I am grateful for what I have, my children and for the success I have achieved Internationally with my art and I love my country Australia but, older artists are not treated very well and can be completely ignored and I’m just disappointed my work is not recognized in my home country.

Ive had exhibitions in New York, Spain , Germany and an arts residency in Barcelona,Spain. I have collaborated with artists from many countries. My work is in collections in USA , UK and Europe and recently Canada but in Australia my work is ignored.

Last year I applied for a huge amount of grants, residency’s and exhibitions in Australia . I got 20 knock backs from 20 applications yet, I got numerous offers from Italy, New York, Canada and Athens for arts residencies and exhibitions.

To have an exhibition in Melbourne it costs me hundreds even thousands of dollars plus the galleries usually take percentages up to 50%. Funny thing is some times its cheaper for me to have them overseas…..

Where am I going wrong?

I spend at least 5 hours daily on computer doing the business side which involves, sending out my images and CV etc to galleries, magazines, residencies and to my websites I have worldwide. If I cant get my work seen here, how can I continue living, eating and creating,for my projects and exhibitions in Australia ?

I’m exhausted but most of all disappointed that I’m unable to make a living in my home country as an artist. Well, Ive had enough Australia with your discrimination and ignorance, after selling off my life on EBay I”m now off to Paris and New York .

Lets see, if they want me and my art.