In 1994 I designed and built a three-level in-situ adobe (a very sculptable form of mud-brick) sustainable home, moulded into the side of a hill. featuring a passive solar design, curved walls, grass roof, hand-made wooden and steel internal staircase, adobe walls throughout, mosaic features and hand crafted cabinetry. A carving workshop with master carver and Tohunga Wallace Hetaraka inspired me
to explore the medium of wood in more depth. Through this I started carving a series freeform wooden bowls and vessels, which than led into working for a few years as a self-employed art-furniture maker. In 2003 I started teaching sculptural building workshops, incorporating various materials and styles with a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusiveness. I initiated, designed and managed in excess of 20 sculptural adobe art workshops/projects in Australia and New Zealand. I was commissioned by the Waitakere City Council and also by Project Twinstreams to run, design and organise or participate in various community art projects in parks and schools, consistently delivering dynamic visual improvement. I have also designed and built various small to medium scale artistic landscape projects
I have over 20 years experience in earth building techniques and incorporated ferro cement, steel, other metals, glass, rocks, mosaics etc. I have carpentry skills, have built 3 major buildings and various smaller ones with creative use of a combination of the materials listed above. I have fine woodworking skills and experience in woodcarving. I have a wide skill base and a sound understanding in electrical, plumbing and masonry work. I have the ability to facilitate projects with people from all walks of live. Teachers, principals, school children, hearing impaired school children, community groups, corporate managers, their staff, to name a few. I have experience in managing large groups with a varying level of skill and expertise. I can motivate and empower people, and help them to tap into their creative potential. I have leadership and people management skills and the ability to work under stressful conditions to tight deadlines. I am a problem solver
I'm also a permaculture designer, always bearing in mind the complex environmental and social connections with all my design work.
