Reading, particularly books that inspired my own adventures outdoors, like 'Swallows and Amazons' by Arthur Ransome (1930), and the many adventures had by children in Enid Blyton's books.

This book emerges out of a struggle to negotiate the uncomfortable silences around an anxiety disorder that I first suffered myself as a child, and then negotiated with my daughter Tallis during the early 2000s (she is now 27). Selective mutism impacted her hard, in a way at odds with its invisibility.

In this narrative I relate the years spent trying to find help for Tallis, to assist her transcend her childhood inability to speak when other adults were present. Now she is both a speaker and a writer, and contributes her own reflections to this narrative. Her ultimately successful journey through selective mutism drives us to share our experiences to assist others who may be similarly afflicted. It is not an easy disorder to negotiate, even now.

I am developing a book of essays about creative women that trace biographical turning points in their lives toward new initiatives. Through a series of short-form essays, I will bring these stories into public awareness — stories that reflect resilience, imagination, and the quiet persistence of creativity across time and place. The working title of this book is 'I Was Here: Stories of Remarkable Australian Women'.

I have a Bachelor of Arts (Art History), a Master's in Creative Arts and a PhD in Creative non-fiction. I have worked as a freelance writer, specialising in the visual arts and design for thirty years, contributing regularly to national art magazines, newspapers and catalogues and was Brisbane art critic for The Australian newspaper 1997-2009. I have contributed to and authored books on Australian artists including 'women of Brisbane: judy watson' (Museum of Brisbane, 2021), 'blood language: Judy Watson' (Miegunyah Press, MUP, 2008), 'Forbidden: Fiona Foley' (UQ Art Museum, 2009), 'Spent Time: Stephen Hart Sculpture' (Arthouse, 2011), 'Linde Ivimey' (UQ Art Museum, 2012) and 'Margot McKinney: World of Wonder' (Museum of Brisbane, 2022). My biography 'Fiona Foley Provocateur: An Art Life' (QUT Art Museum, 2021) won Best Book in the 2022 Art Association of Australia and New Zealand awards (joint prize) and was shortlisted for the 2022 Magarey Medal for Biography. I contributed a chapter to 'Speculative Biography: Experiments, Opportunities and Provocations' (Routledge Auto/Biography Studies, 2022). My most recent book is 'the cat came back: Stephen Hart’s sculpture' (AndAlso Books, 2025). 'Uncomfortable Silence: a personal journey through selective mutism', co-authored with my daughter Tallis Baker, to be published in 2027, is my first memoir.

Do what you love, follow the heat, and ensure that you build a little superannuation!

The people I meet every day, especially women, and the stories I hear of their lives. Truth truly is stranger than fiction.

My hobbies are writing and art, reading and exercising, travel and having adventures outdoors. Amongst a long list of favourite books are Kristina Olsson's 'Boy, Lost' (UQP, 2013), Richard Flanagan's 'Question 7' (Knopf, 2023), and many by Helen Garner.

Instagram: @artwords_126