Artist printmaker

 specializing in hand-coloured linocuts of Australian birds and flora

Vida was born in 1957 at Wonthaggi, Victoria. Her early life was spent living in various country towns in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales - due to her father's involvement with the dairy industry. As a child her love of drawing was paramount - but with the cultural isolation of small country towns, the thought of one day becoming an artist seemed remote.

It was not until Year 12 at Dubbo High School that she finally stepped into an art gallery - the occasion was " Modern Masters - Manet to Matisse" held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales - it was a revelation - and sowed the seed of artistic ambition.

On finishing school, dabbling with tertiary studies, and various jobs - the travel bug- acquired from moving so much as a child- took hold, and she spent 12 months following that well- worn route from Kathmandu to London. Her mind was crammed with the exotic visual experiences of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Visits to the major Galleries of Great Britain further fuelled her desire to study art on her return home.

Field trips also serve another function in that they provide a welcome break from the solitary and inward looking existence of the studio. Catching up on what's happening in galleries is also important for her continuing development as an artist.

Vida has always had a strong commitment to regularly exhibiting in group and solo shows in order to give the many admirers of her work a chance to see it changing over time. Over the years one has seen a strong individual style emerging, especially in her hand-coloured lino-cuts - with their bold colours and strong design. With her constant seeking of new ideas and materials and her dedication to her work we can see her work continuing to grow and evolve.

Much of Vida's work is inspired by her numerous travels far and wide. The flora and bird-life of a region are her main focus, but there are times when other elements are the dominant visual form and these are then included in her studies. As well as exotic destinations such as Indonesia, Iceland, Scandinavia, Europe and Africa - Australia still remains the place where the bulk of her images are gleaned from. Several field trips each year to different regions are an absolute must for her continuing portfolio of Grevilleas, Banksias and Eucalypts. Australian birds - which are some of the most interesting in the world - are also eagerly sort after.

So, it was in 1982 with the support of her partner Fred Ross, Vida realized a life-long ambition to study art. She spent the next 3 years studying at the North Adelaide School of Art - majoring in printmaking and drawing. In 1985 they moved to their 5- acre bush block near Ballarat in Victoria, where Vida has her studio and Fred, who makes fine hand-crafted furniture has his workshop. The environment they have created there, is one conducive to their need to work alongside one another in an atmosphere of harmony and natural beauty.