It has been well documented that picking up a brush or pencil can help relieve stress, depression and fear, and can even help manage pain or other physical symptoms.

For much of her youth Peta spent days, even months confined to a hospital children's ward as she battle chronic kidney disease.

However, Peta discovered at an early age the wonders of drawing to stave off the many hours of loneliness.

"Drawing was a way of taking myself away from the hospital," the 62-year-old Forster business woman said.

While Peta began to forster her love for art as a five-year-old it wasn't until she completed several courses at the National Art School in Sydney that her talents and passion was realised.

After completing her secondary school education at Wiley Park Girls High Peta found employment with the then Water Board (now Sydney Water) working as a tracer.

"It was all hand done and I could use my hands," she said.

"I love the line work."

Peta explained during those days computers were not widespread in the workplace; tickets and showcards were all hand drawn.

She supplemented her skills undertaking a part-time showcard and ticket writing course at Bankstown Technical College, before moving into the company's graphic arts department.

A further course in graphic design and drawing was completed to complement her ticket writing skills.

"I wanted to develop more artwork on my tickets."

Following the breakdown of her first marriage Peta took a different career path, establishing children's ware shops before returning to her first love - art.

"This is my happy place."

She painted cards and produced colourful and appealing children's art for local markets, and then began sharing her skills privately with youngsters who mainly suffered from anxiety.

"Art is terrific therapy."

Peta said she 'fell into' teaching art for therapy, primarily because she had a natural understanding of what these children experienced.

A move north to the Great Lakes and Peta continued to visit local market sites, established popular children's clothing and art outlet, Peta E Shop and continued to teach children's art as therapy.

Teaching up to 17 students privately every term, the popular course is always booked out.

"I don't allow the use of the color black; it is dark and children suffering tend to use it.

"They can choose a colour for the day

"Colours are very important for your mood; they brighten the day.

"And, some days are better than others.

"They love coming to art classes; they love to learn; it distracts them from the moment from the school bullies or the stresses of living.

"We get such wonderful outcomes."

Peta sets aside about two days a week to work her magic on the canvas, allowing her mind to take her on a journey of imagination.

"It can be a mermaid one day or a sailor or fairies the next, wherever my mind takes me for the day.

"If the water under that bridge is aqua I paint a mermaid, if I go out to the beautiful rolling hills of Gloucester I paint fairies."

Peta doesn't confine her art to children's work, she also paints what she describes as 'serious work'.

"I have just finished a commission piece using soft blues and daisies floating in the sky for a refurbished room.

"But my first love is children's painting."

Over the years she has contributed work to both Newcastle Children's and Gosford hospitals and private functions, schools and the Kidney Foundation.

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