Artistic Approach:

I worked as a freelance illustrator for many years before realizing a strong desire to learn about the native flora and fauna of Aotearoa, New Zealand. In my childhood, along with many other women from my family, I would often assist my grandma in her florist shop on busy holidays .This was a special time together and taught me appreciation of the beauty and significance of plants. As I started my late journey into botany this early appreciation for the joy of composing with plants expressed by my nana and aunt (who studied ikebana) has doubtless influenced my own work.

Gouache is my preferred medium for painting studies on paper (although I will occasionally use sometimes acrylic on board). It has a wonderful capacity to produce transparent layers when watered down and is perfect for adding fine opaque details on later layers if used with less water and a fine brush.

Typically I like to work up a sketch from a cutting of a plant and then transfer it onto paper or board. If a cutting cannot be sourced I will combine multiple reference images to produce the desired effect (sometimes on Photoshop).  If the first approach is used I make sure to take many photos upon completing my sketch to make sure I can reference the original colour and lighting in the painting. I have a particular interest in the relationship between plants and animals and people so tend to favour ‘useful’ plants or known host plants as subject matter.

Education

In 2017 I completed a Diploma in Environment and Sustainability through Open Polytechnic and the Practical Field Botany course at the Cass Field Research Facility lead by Pieter Pelser and Matthew Walters of the University of Canterbury. Prior to this my only formal tertiary education was the study of freehand animation at a certificate level in 1999. Surprisingly I still apply many of the drawing techniques we were taught. I am still learning in an informal capacity and hope my eductaion will continue throughout my life.

Exhibitions

2021

June, Aroha Mai, Nathan Homestead, Manurewa, Auckland

April, Aroha Mai, Fresh Gallery, Otara Auckland

February, Auckland Regatta, permanent exhibit, The Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Birds of Tiritiri Matangi, permanent exhibit, The Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

2020

October, 10 Years of Street Art, Taupo Museum

2019

October, Pekapeka-tou-roa, Corban’s Estate Art Centre, Henderson, Auckland

Bitter Harvest, Black Asterisk, Ponsonby, Auckland

February, Toi Wāhine, Parliament Gallery, Bowen House, Wellington

January, Messengers, Zealandia, Karori, Wellington

2018

December, Kid Justice, public sculpture celebrating 125th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, commissioned by Auckland Council, Howick, Auckland

November, Ngāi Tipu Taketake - Indigenous Flora, Millenium Public Art Gallery, Blenheim

October, A Few (solo exhibition), Pah Homesetad, Hillsborough, Auckland

Taonga o Aotearoa, poster, commissioned by Predator Free New Zealand

August, Ngāi Tipu Taketake - Indigenous Flora, Wellington Botanic Garden Treehouse Visitor centre, Kelburn, Wellington

March, Ngāi Tipu Taketake - Indigenous Flora, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa, Auckland

January, The Story of Clean Energy, public artwork, commissioned by Vector and Panuku Development

2017

October, New Works (solo exhibition), Whitespace Contemporary Art Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland

October, Flora, New Zealand Steel Gallery, Franklin Arts and Cultural Centre, Pukekohe, Auckland

July, In Direction, Studio One Toi Tu, Ponsonby, Auckland

Artist in Residence, Studio One Toi Tu, Ponsonby, Auckland

2016

July, Vacating and Inhabiting, Whitespace Contemporary Art Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland

Prepare to Fall in Love, Papakura Art Gallery, Auckland