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I chose to spend time in Samoa not only because it is in my DNA but because it has informed my art for as long as I can remember.

It started informing my art when i was at art school in Wellington. Almost naturally i found myself representing Samoa with lush pacfic foliage and naïve village scenes (to my amazement these pieces were really popular at my art school exhibitions, people seemed to really love them, I remember they sold for $120 each which was a great encouragement to a beginner artiste).

I love everything about Samoa and I would describe it as living in a warm little bubble. To escape the busyness of the modern western world where everything is at ones fingertips, to a place where the entertainment is birds, bats, geckos and tropical fish, is a transformational world. No distractions means more focus for an artist, this is the perfect recipe for artistic expression. Two days after i landed i was approached to do a painting commission, which ended in a very special portrait of a change maker in Samoa, I took this as a big sign. Delving into historic Samoa, along with the myths and legends and fa'a Samoa (way of life) is a really rich and unending source of inspiration pouring forth, like the waterfalls by which i am surrounded encased by dense tropical jungle. To be so in touch and in tune with nature is a special thing, and sparks my connection to environmental impacts on the developing world and my path of research into climate change impacts in the pacific and a myriad of subjects surrounding climate advocacy for small island developing states. Of course even Samoa is exposed to and adopting western conveniences and distractions but there is still an intrinsic all important core of respect of mother earth, respect of each other as humans and that strong connection to the ecology of which so many livelihoods are dependent. To have sustainable livelihoods and protecting the most vulnerable species is paramount in this small bubble.

The save the Manumea campaign is a great example of a local community based public awareness raising programme.