hei tiki

hei tiki kaponga

225mm x 305mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas




I have been seeing some great pieces based upon using the hei tiki as a key image. Hei tiki are taonga (treasures) handed down from generation to generation. They are generally carved out of pounamu (greenstone, New Zealand jade) and are worn around the neck (hei). They are seen as symbols of fertility and guardians of mothers and unborn children. I have always loved hei tiki, many of my friends have been having babies and I think that might have inspired my wish to paint hei tiki also.



hei tiki mouku

305mm x 405mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas





These are just the start of many idea that I have based upon hei tiki. Overlaying the hei tiki in front of silhouettes of fern fronds like in Hei Tiki Kaponga (silver fern) and Hei Tiki Mouku (hen and chicken fern) creates a lushious effect. In combining these images I suppose I am hoping that the world will be blessed with green, eco-friendly babies. A bit corny, but hey.

tui teo

Triptych 3 pieces 205 mm x 205 mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas





With this painting I was drawn into experimenting with layering silhouettes of kowhai leaves and hand painted realistic images. I was also wanting to see the effect of not including kowhai blooms, . An interesting development seems to be occurring with how I am rendering the birds, particularly tui. Their eyes are getting bigger and bigger.

harakeke piwakawaka

Triptych 3 pieces 205mm x 2205mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas




This little work was so much fun to paint, these two piwakawaka (fantails) just turned out gorgeously. Trying to capture movement is something that I am interested in exploring further and I am really happy with how the wings turned out on the male.

manuka riroriro 2008

The little riroriro (grey warbler) was awarded 'Bird of the Year' in 2007. It is quite an amazing little bird, despite pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoo) parasitism riroriro are still quite common. Instead of having just one breeding round during spring, riroriro actually have two, one of them being earlier than that of the pipiwharauroa. This has enabled them to survive where other birds wouldn't have. They also adapt quickly to most environments, even in suburbia. I was lucky enough to see one on Tiritiri Matangi, they are so small(about 100mm) and delightful. Initially I mistook it for a rifleman, but later found out that there are none on the island.

Triptych, 3 canvases 205mm x 405mm x 35mm
Archival acrylics and gesso on canvas

I am really happy with how these paintings turned out. The subtle layering worked well, riroriro colouring and feathers are just beautiful. Manuka flowers and the darker branches proved to be the ideal backdrop for the triptych.