I never set out to become a painter. It began simply, quietly—with a few island-inspired canvases for my living room, born from a deep love of the places I’d been and dreamed of visiting. Those early paintings were a way of keeping pieces of paradise close, a gentle escape through colour and memory.
But something shifted as I travelled more. Each place I visited left a mark on my heart —little bursts of inspiration that I wanted to hold onto. I began capturing their essence in bright, stylised renditions, painting not just what I saw, but how those places felt. I wanted to capture their essences’ in colourful, stylised renditions. On my travels I stumbled across a quote which resonated with me deeply:
“And once you have traveled and learned and loved and lost, go back home and make your art. You will know what to say, and it will be true.” — James McCrae
Sharing snippets of my process on Instagram opened unexpected doors. People began reaching out, asking for commission pieces of their favourite places or evocative symbols to reflect who they are and what they love. To channel my creativity into painting something tangible—and share it with others—has felt incredibly rewarding.
And it hasn’t all been about faraway places. I’ve also painted the everyday gems close to home—my favourite local café in Byron Bay, the grooviest little pizza spot in Brunswick Heads. It’s been such a joy (and an honour!) to see both of those businesses purchase and display my work.
One piece even made its way onto a postcard now available at the café. That felt especially nostalgic, as it brought things full circle—my very first postcard design came from a card I made for my boss while working at my first job, an independent bookstore. They still sell that postcard today! It’s a sweet reminder that small beginnings often bloom into beautiful things.
So if you’re dreaming of a commission—whether it’s a personal memory, a special gift, or something to brighten your business—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something beautiful, meaningful and uniquely yours.
Love Clo x