sometimes dabbles in acrylic and oil painting. "My husband is very supportive," she says when asked about her family's reaction to her passion. "He's always helping me with exhibitions and shrink-wrapping of unframed work for sale. He also offer comments on my work sometimes." she adds, smiling, "which aren't always appreciated!"

She has joined the Watercolour Society of Queensland and is also a member of the Clifton Hill Art Group, a small group of friends who paint and exhibit together - as well as offering peer support and friendship. The group have had three exhibitions to showcase their work. Christine has had two solo exhibitions and some shared exhibitions at the University of Queensland Staff Club. She also has paintings in two Brisbane Galleries, the Kenmore Gallery in Kenmore and Hang-Ups Gallery in Red Hill.

Currently, she is travelling overseas yet again with visits planned to the museums and galleries of Florence and Siena in Tuscany and Venice as well. One can only imagine what vibrant and energetic watercolours will come out of  this trip.

Christine prefers to work in a limited colour palette and her advise to budding artists is to do likewise. "I was taught landscapes with just 3 colours, raw sienna, Indian red and ultramarine blue," she says. Even though she admits that you may need more warm colours and a couple of cool tones when painting flowers, "even then I try to restrict myself to six," she maintains. In addition, she advises that quality paints are a must as cheaper brands can turn to mud when mixed together.

"Once you experience the way colours mix on the paper when they are just dropped in, or how some colours push other colours away and react to each other, you just want more and more watercolour," says Christine. "To gain control of this somewhat temperamental medium is a life-long pursuit and eminently satisfying."

Copy of Artist's Palette Magazine No.33 articles by Justyna Lupa and Christine Groh.