A little about us

Living on an ancient red ridge overlooking Gidgee Lake quite literally out the Back O’ Bourke has been the source of inspiration to help unlock the God–given talents of this exciting Outback artist.

Jen uses pastels in a style that is fresh and crisp, manipulating pure colours, line and tone to capture the extraordinary images of the Australian Outback that she experiences on a daily basis. Waking up to a spectacular sunrise, driving down the road and being struck by the glistening light of the sun reflecting off an approaching storm, responding in wonder at a sunset or being mesmerised by the moon rising over Gidgee Lake are experiences Jen wants to share with the world. ‘I like to capture the rugged beauty, unusual scenes and fleeting moments that people would usually miss out on unless they are living in the outback,’ Jen says. ‘I want others to enjoy the beautiful and amazing things that leave me in awe of the One who created them.’

Jen recognises that she does not create by herself. She is inspired by this rich scenery and her intimate relationship with the Creator of this land enables her to capture the essence of what it has to offer.

When there is water she is inspired to paint waterbirds. When there is drought and the birds move away, the vegetation rolls back and the red earth is her subject. When the storm clouds brew up and the scent of drought breaking rain is in the air, this is inspiration for another artwork.

Jen was born in 1960 and was raised on her parents farm south of Gilgandra in central west NSW. Here she developed a love of the natural environment which has influenced this naturally gifted artist.

Jen is married to Steve and they have three adult children. They have lived west of Bourke since 1996 and have moved into a new home on the gallery site in 2010.