After years of drawing with pencil and charcoal someone suggested Colleen try pastel, for the colour. Since then that has been her preferred medium. As a working member of the Auckland Art Society she attended classes there and exhibited, mainly pastel still life, figure and portrait works.

It wasn't until a move to Nelson nine years ago that the South Island's stunning scenery inspired her interest in landscape : snow clad mountains, colourful skies, interesting tree structures, wild seas. Working from sketches, imagination, memory and, to a limited extent, reference photos, Colleen can create her own impression of a scene.

Colleen has received several awards from PANZ (Pastel Artists of NZ). She enjoys attending their annual conventions and workshops taken by visiting artists. She also attends a weekly group at Mapua where a lot is gained from working together in the same medium.