Although Bee has had a lifelong interest in art, her route to becoming a full-time artist has been a long one. From college art classes to selling a few early paintings from a gallery in Oriental Parade, Wellington, this early interest was set aside in favour of a career in the computer industry. It wasn't until four or five years ago that Bee finally decided it was time to take the lid off her own creative talents. She started by taking part in some professional workshops led by established artist Jane Kellahan.

"I knew I had it in me to paint but needed a catalyst and wanted to learn from an artist whose work I admired. These workshops got me going and I feel I have since gone from strength to strength."

From those first tentative steps, Bee has quickly grown into an artist whose work is in demand from galleries and buyers throughout the country.

 
''My studio is a former garden shed now dedicated to artistic pursuits. It has good light, plenty of bench-space and at least three easels in residence at any one time. When the roller door is up, it has magnificent river views right down the Otaki Forks river gorge. It is freezing in winter but this doesn't stop me. I prefer to work on large canvases, at least 1m x 1m and often larger - frequently working on several at once. Mostly these are abstract landscapes. I try to capture the atmosphere and emotion behind a landscape rather than actual detail.

Every day is an experiment, every day there is something new to try, some new concept to paint - or sometimes one of last week's efforts to paint over. Every day painting is a pleasure - I even like cleaning my brushes!"

Bee has images of her work online at www.doughtyart.co.nz. The website also includes Bee's exhibition history and an extensive News & Views section.