Finding Home in the Foothills of the Pyrenees
The Creative Spark
Art has always been my compass. From my earliest memories, I found joy in drawing, letting my imagination wander across blank pages. This creative spirit led me to study graphic design, merging my artistic inclinations with a career that allowed me to work while feeding my endless wanderlust. Mountains and forests called to me in every country I visited, their wild beauty speaking to something deep in my soul.
Exploring the ancient temples of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Leap of Faith
At 43, I made a decision that would transform both my life and my art. Leaving my established design career in Australia, I set off with my son on what was meant to be a year of travel. Through a series of serendipitous turns - from caring for llamas in the French Pyrenees to pruning olive trees under the Catalan sun - I found myself in a medieval village that would become more than just another stop on my journey.
Trading farm chores for mountain views - our workstay companions in the French Pyrenees.
My son, taking in the expansive rural Catalonian hills between our olive harvesting shifts.
An Unexpected Love Story
It was here, in the most unexpected of places - a local pub quiz where my son and I were invited to be quiz masters - that I met him. A local Catalan who would later become my husband, offering not just love but a deeper connection to this enchanted place I now call home. Sometimes the most beautiful stories begin with a simple question, and in our case, it was several of them, written on a quiz sheet in a medieval town pub.
Sometimes a pub quiz in a medieval Catalan village leads to the best kind of plot twist.
Finding Rhythm in Ancient Stones
Here, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, life moves to an ancient rhythm. The tower bells mark time as they have for centuries, and each season paints the mountains in new colors. This slower pace has awakened something in my art that I didn't know was sleeping. Away from the digital demands of modern design, I've returned to the pure joy of creating with my hands - whether it's tending my vegetable garden or filling my sketchbook with illustrations.
Hard-earned organic harvest from my community garden plot - worth every bit of effort.
A Village That Inspires
The village itself has become my greatest muse. Each morning brings mountain views that take my breath away, while the forests harbor enchanting wildlife that finds its way into my artwork. The medieval buildings, with their perfectly imperfect stones and timeworn grace, remind me that beauty doesn't require perfection. Every cobblestone street tells a story of centuries past, inspiring me to capture this timeless magic in my illustrations.
Art With Purpose
What began as a graphic design career has evolved into something more intimate and meaningful. Now, through my illustrated journals and artwork, I share not just images but an invitation - an invitation to slow down, to notice the wild beauty in imperfection, and to discover the joy of living closer to nature's rhythm. My art has become a bridge between this ancient way of life and those who yearn for a deeper connection to creativity and self-discovery.
A Story Still Unfolding
In this unlikely corner of Catalan life, I've found not just a home and love, but a profound source of creative inspiration. Each piece I create carries the whispers of mountain dawns and forest walks - the soft morning mist rising over ancient stone walls, deer threading silently through pine forests, wildflowers pushing through medieval cobblestones. This enchanting blend of nature and village life flows into everything I create, from my artwork to my wellness and self-discovery journals. Each illustration and journal page is crafted to help others pause, reflect, and find their own path to a more intentional life. Through these creative tools, I invite you to breathe in the mountain air with me, explore your inner landscape, and discover the magic that unfolds when we slow down and connect with both nature and ourselves.
Explore My Books
Browse my bookshelf and continue your journey towards a happier, healthier life.