Kay is a painter and printmaker with a passionate interest in the natural environment. Her practice is reflective of her life in Margaret River with many of the regions native birds and animals featuring in her work. The subtle gouache images are painted onto Hahnemuhle paper that Kay has embossed with local plants to create a textured backdrop. The role of fire and regeneration is emulated by her use of fumage, a technique that deposits the smoke and soot from a candle onto the paper giving the work an ethereal appearance.

Q & A:

When tempted by something sweet, what is it? I’m a bit of a cake fiend which many of my friends know. It’s got to be good though!

Where was your most memorable vacation? One of my most memorable vacations was Tasmania. Travelling on the ferry through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds and a boat trip through the awe-inspiring Milford Sound.

What is your favourite -Song or Band or Musical Genre? Spotify has been a revelation for me when I’m working in the studio. Podcasts ranging from True Crime to Talking with Painters, classical music to Triple J’s top 100, my tastes are varied.

If you could time travel, to which historical era would you go and why? If I could time travel, I think I would choose the Jurassic era with all those incredible dinosaurs. Watching repeats of Jurassic Park is a great, edge of my seat, thrill for me.

What is your favourite quote? I feel with so much information being posted on social media a little reminder that ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ is a wise quote.

Who is the Artist who inspires you most? There are so many artists that I admire and they predominantly reside in Australia. I greatly admire the work of Clifton Pugh (1924-1990). For me his paintings capture the feeling of the Australian bush, the harshness and the incredible beauty.

What would be your favourite smell? I love roses. My mother in-law grew beautiful roses and I inherited some of them including the incredible intoxicatingly scented Papa Meilland rose.

What is the most sentimental thing you have? The most sentimental thing I have are family photos, including the grandkids and the memories of doing special activities with them over the years.

Do you collect anything? I collect art books that include biographies on artists such as Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Ian Fairweather. One of my most treasured books is The Woodblock Paintings of Cressida Campbell.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Perth in the lovely coastal suburbs of Floreat Park and Wembley Downs. Picnics in the hills of Perth, Mundaring and Darlington gave me a love of the natural world. Soon the lure of nature beckoned and I moved to Margaret River in 1975 and with my partner we built a house and raised a family. The photo is of our home.

What is the worst outfit you ever wore? My mum bought me matching purple flares and top when I was thirteen. It was a hideous outfit and thankfully I wore it only a couple of times.

What always makes you laugh? Watching repeats of Absolutely Fabulous always makes me laugh.