Inspiration from nature

She creates artistic works using wood carving, cast metal works, and painting.

After studying art education Jenny realised she would rather be an artist than teach it and so embarked on a life as an artist.

"I realised I was more interested in being an artist than being an art teacher," she said.

"But you learn pretty quickly that you can't make a living being an artist."

She said in the 1980s she bought land on Russell Island but did not move there until 2003.

Nature was her muse on the island, she said, which helped her work build connections that form a relationship.

"When I do something it should express a relationship, even if it is two flowers and how they react to one another," she said.

"I have been interested in banksias or melaleucas lately.

"I really enjoy watercolour and ink works and I have moved a bit away from sculpture temporarily due to work space."

Jenny also found inspiration from artist Marcel Duchamp's sculptures and paintings.

"Marcel Duchamp's work is a bit like a good book, his wit and irony just sticks with you," she said.

Her dream project was to get a commission for a sculpture that told a story but had no limitations.

To contact Jenny about her art, email her at fourjays@bigpond. com.au

She said research was important for her when creating certain pieces.

"Usually I do a lot of trying to understand how whatever it is works, and how to achieve it," she said.

"What I find difficult, is translating what you want to achieve to the actual piece.

"Sometimes a paintbrush won't do it, you have to improvise and be spontaneous."

Her favourite piece of art she created she said was a piece inspired by an urban fossil she found in Sydney.

"It was a crushed cigarette packet with tyre tread marks on it and it still had cigarettes in it," she said.

"I took it and made a mould of it and then made bronze casts out of it.

"I call it an urban fossil and I think it tells a bit of a story.

"It is surprising what you discover when you are exploring."