Describe the ideas behind your work short listed for Top Arts.
The main idea/theme behind my work was Australian Impressionism. I wanted to capture the powerful Australian light and landscapes of many colours.

What were your starting points? Where did your inspiration come from?
My inspiration came from previous Australian Impressionists such as Arthur Streeton, Herman Pekel and Helen Cottle. My starting point was the Australian landscape. I gathered many landscape images mostly through taking photos.

What media/materials did you select and why?
I used pastels for my landscapes because I love its immediacy, it has an amazing range of colours and I love the way light itself is reflected in the pure pigments.

What challenges/difficulties/discoveries did you encounter in producing your work?
The main challenge I had was capturing the Australian landscape, mainly the seasonal light in the scenes. I sometimes found it hard to get an accurate impression even with the large range of pastel colours.

What advice would you give to students undertaking Art or Studio Arts?
The only advice I could give to art students it to love what you are doing and enjoy yourself when working on an art folio.

Are you planning to pursue a career in the arts? What will you be doing in 2009?
I am hoping to pursue a career in the arts possibly even undertake a fine arts degree. In 2009 I will be completing year 12.