How it all began

I was born in France, but my journey has taken me across the world – from living in London for 3 years as a graphic designer to making the life-changing decision to move permanently to Australia in 2003.

My love for painting started unexpectedly one afternoon in London in 2001. I was wandering through the city when I stopped in front of an art gallery, completely mesmerised by a bold, abstract cityscape with a splash of turquoise. I had always been attracted to that colour and my bedroom walls growing up as a teenager were always covered with photos of dreamy faraway islands and beaches with turquoise waters (some photos were even from Australia… go figure!)
Anyway… Something about that little splash of turquoise on the canvas against that dark grey background sparked something deep inside me. I couldn’t afford buying that artwork so my feet took me into a nearby art store where grabbed one paintbrush and three tubes of paint, and … hat was it… my creative journey had begun, just like that, with no warning!

Finding my artistic voice

At first, painting felt overwhelming. I couldn’t find books that resonated with me, and no one seemed to teach the style I longed to create. I did not know what I was doing and it turned out the paint I’d bought was water based oils and felt horrible to use!
But when I moved to Sydney a year or so later, I bought acrylic paints and got to work right away. I posted my work online and almost immediately, people connected with my work. I started selling paintings, taking commissions (including a three-metre-long piece for a restaurant!), and exploring mixed media years later. One of my artworks even won second place in the Westmead Hospital Art Prize and is still proudly displayed there today.

From student to teacher

As my confidence grew, so did my passion for sharing creativity with others. I started teaching workshops, wrote a book full of mixed media tutorials in the way “I” wanted to learn, and eventually opened my own art supply store, The Mixed Media Store, in 2016. For 6 amazing (and incredibly busy) years, I had the privilege of serving a beautiful community of around 4,000 artists across Australia. But deep down, I missed having the time to paint freely again. So, with a mix of excitement and bittersweet nostalgia, I made the hard decision to close the shop and set off on a 6 month road trip around Australia in a camper van!
You can read more about here:  Life overhaul: time for an update – PART 1 & Turning my life upside down – Part 2.

The road that changed everything

That journey changed everything. It reconnected me with the magic of painting — the reason I started in the first place. When I finally settled in Queensland, I knew I was ready to dive back in, this time with a clearer vision and a deeper purpose.

And as I returned to making art full-time, something else quietly reignited too – a flame I first sparked years ago under my candle brand, Just Heaven.
What began as colour on canvas has now grown into a world of scent and feeling: hand-poured vegan candles, room sprays, reed diffusers, and other fragrant treasures that carry the same joy, warmth, and sense of wonder as my paintings. To me, fragrance is simply another way to paint an atmosphere. Where colour brings magic to the eyes, scent brings emotion to the air. Both invite us to pause, breathe, and feel.

Creating from nature & joy

Now, my art is about celebrating life’s beauty, big and small. It’s about those fleeting, magical moments — the golden light filtering through leaves, the shimmer of water at sunset, the way nature quietly invites us to slow down and see. My paintings are filled with colour and life, created to bring joy, wonder, and connection into your home.

“To me, happiness is simple: living fully in the present, noticing the magic that surrounds us, and connecting with it. With my art, I hope to spark that same sense of wonder in you.”

From my Queensland studio, surrounded by tropical flowers and towering trees, I’m working on new series of paintings, candles and artful treasures – bold, vibrant, and full of energy. I’m also continuing my travels in my camper van with my husband, Pete, and our two fluffy kids, Elliot and Kiki. Inspiration is everywhere, whether it’s a breathtaking view on the road or the simple beauty of sunlight dancing through the trees. When something catches my eye, I rush to capture it – sometimes through my camera lens, sometimes straight into my art journal or onto canvas. Acrylics are my go-to, but I love adding those final touches with pastels, pencils, and a little sparkle to make my paintings come alive.

I’m so glad you stopped by… let’s make the world a more colourful, magical place – together!

Mimi