However that is not quite what happened when she graduated from Newcastle Art School in 2012.

“I got it more into my system,” the Newcastle-based painter, ceramicist, jewellery maker and gallery operator said.

By the age of 18 Duffin was already painting, but abandoned  it to concentrate on her studies at teacher’s college.  The years passed and finally she could resist no longer.

“After wanting to be there [at TAFE studying art] for 35 years, I gave up my teaching job as an early childhood teacher,” she said. 

She is now established as a painter, working from a studio at the Newcastle Community Arts Centre in Parry Street, Hamilton East.

In April 2013, she opened Finite Gallery in an old petrol station at Caves Beach. It was an opportunity too good to refuse when the owners of the petrol station, the Saddington family, offered her the use of the building for two years in return for keeping the lawn mowed. 

“I spent a month cleaning it up, painting the insides, pressure washed the floors,” Duffin said.  

Eventually she had to move out due to the site being sold. Three weeks before the gallery was to close she was approached by a couple of Sydney-based doctors who loved the gallery so much they offered her a commercial space directly across the road. 

Again, she has struck a deal which will see her use the space for the next three years.

Duffin said the gallery was well supported by the Caves Beach community. 

“The community out there is fantastic, I have so much support,” she said.

“The regulars come in, have a look, buy arts works, send their kids to the classes I was running in the holidays.”

Finite holds exhibitions featuring prominent local and visiting artists. It also holds art classes and workshops for children and adults. 

Finite Gallery is located at 60 Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach. 

Find out more: finitegallery.com