After growing up in Melbourne and achieving a BA degree from Melbourne University, Maris moved to WA, had three children, and later worked as Keeper of the Paintings at the Western Australian Art Gallery.

Moving between Katanning and Perth she worked in a variety of jobs, from shearers’ cook to teaching ESL, before moving back East.

In Canberra she did temping and journalism before moving to the beautiful Tweed Valley in Northern NSW to be Director of the Tweed River Regional Art Gallery. There she initiated the building of a splendid new Gallery.

The Art War is based on her experiences while she was involved in country art competitions, both as organiser and competitor. She still bear the scars.

These days she has stepped away from the art business and all its drama and spends her time gardening and writing, concentrating mainly on crime fiction, and developing a series of cosy mysteries featuring Mary Ladyman.

To read Maris' winning entry "The Art War", click here.