As a mum of three children, travelling was not something that was possible for a very long time until my children were more independent.

The trip that triggered my desire to present more than just a pretty picture was my trip to Central Australia.

The dramatic colours, the dramatic geographical shapes and shadows they form, moved my soul. The depth of the colour of the soil against the colour of the sky and the flora took my breath away, and from that moment painting what I saw and felt was not a choice; it was a sacred responsibility. Flying over the Central Desert demanded a brave use of colours to reflect the vast distances and ancient land formations.

Nepal and Bhutan were more intimate, enclosed by mountains, narrow valleys, and of course the Himalayas. The colour palette was limited to cool blues, greens, and greys to produce lush forests and misty cloud-laden skies. This produced an entirely different emotional feel. The starkness of the Himalayas was powerful in their beauty, and the many waterfalls in Bhutan produce the hydroelectic power which is a large part of the economy. Different mountains require different colours. The dry Andes used soft colours to portray their softer shapes but left me yearning to return.

North America asked for wider colour palette: cool blues, greens and purples for the towering fir forests of Oregon and Washington; oranges, reds and browns for the deciduous oak and maple forests throughout the northern forests; and of course, the purples, mauves, oranges and blues of the silver birch forests. The light and shade of these many forests were in themselves deeply powerful.

In this series, I attempted to portray the soul of the various places I travelled, the emotions that emanated within me, and the need to the maintain this wonderful world for eternity.

I hope you enjoy my travels.