Meredith grew up in Sydney in a small family with an architect for a father and a seamstress extraordinaire for a mother. The latter meant extravagant hand made dresses all year round; collaborations made from Meredith's drawings and her mothers handwork and expertise. Bernina, the sewing machine, was purchased with prize money from her mother's days as a folk singer featuring on 'New Faces' in the seventies.

Her passion for drawing was born in preschool and still remains at the very heart of Meredith's every day life. One of her earliest memories is sitting up at her father slanting drawing board, taking the pens and pencils very seriously, sometimes being allowed to colour in buildings or trees on proper architectural drawings. She was intrigued to see that her father could also draw cubist style faces and people as well as big heavy buildings. At the age of 6 Meredith's rather modest, slightly abstract watercolour painting of a duck was sent by her teacher to a Pentel art competition in . It was awarded a special prize and was later exhibited amongst a collection of international children's works. Now Meredith, 23, paints for both Children and adults, exhibits her work in high profile galleries in Sydney and Melbourne, and has painted commissions for clients in Tokyo, London, Aukland, Berlin, New York and Meredith's work has been featured in Inside Out Magazine, Home Beautiful, Harpers Bazaar, and Vogue Living. Her childrens works have been documented in numerous international jounals.

Meredith relocated to Berlin earlier this year to set up a studio and to follow an amazing love story that began in an airport. Berlin is blossoming with young artists and culture, providing a wonderful backdrop for creativity and endless inspiration.

Meredith's swan fetish began on a river in the trendy district of Kreuzberg where she now lives and works. Ms Swan is her alter ego, Mr Moose her love interest and Mr Houseboat horse is a new friend from Amsterdam.

Meredith's paintings celebrate the joy found in the little things of every day life; magic moments, specific animal or human sightings, or simply a good cup of tea in a favourite tea cup. This is in keeping with her life philosophy - to make the most of each day, and to notice the beauty in the simple or little things. Concepts from paintings spring from almost anywhere and are recorded in a sketchbook which is always at hand. These sketchbooks turn into rugged, well loved inky delights; rich with experiments and quick drawings, jotted notes and numerous sleeping and waking faces. Meredith's love affair with linen has developed over the last two years and most of her new work incorporates the natural beauty and delightful texture of natural Belgian linen. Her new gelato series introduces a new pastel palette, juxtaposed with rich reds and punchy little touches of black. Polka dots, pin stripes, animals with too many legs or rosy cheeked girls are never far away. Meredith's delicate watercolour drawings explore faces and whimsical subject matter; from wishing trees to detailed cross sections of houses and houseboats. They have found homes all around the world, joining corporate and domestic collections, or making precious little gifts for art lovers or loved ones.

Meredith is currently working on her own book, is busy painting ceramics and documenting Berlin life through watercolour diaries. She dreams of making large scale swan installations and designing her own postcards very soon.

For more on Meredith Gaston see http://www.art2muse.com.au/gallery/meredith_gaston