ooo, chilly

Treehugger is one of my favourite ecoblogs. Here is a wild article which I thought I would share with you. Of all the birds who need their feathers . . .treehugger article

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.

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.

ngutu-kaka tui

2008
Triptych 3 canvases
305mm x 405mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas



Within this triptych I got a little carried away with the details within the tui plumage and the abundance of ngutu-kaka (kaka beak) flowers and foliage. In my opinion the effect is lovely even if the painting took quite some time to complete.

In the wild the ngutu-kaka is rare, browsing pests like possums and feral goats have contributed greatly to this. Thankfully it is a popular tree in gardens so it is safe from extinction.

kowhai piwakawaka

2008
Triptych
3 canvases 225mm x 305mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas



Within this painting I further experimented with my painting style, particularly within the rendering of the birds. I sometimes get a little carried away with adding lots of super-fine details so I aim to start leaving some areas less worked up so as to enhance those that are more refined. It gives a freshness and energy to the subject matter. The positive shapes of kowhai leaves and flowers and the negative spaces around them are absolutely gorgeous.

tui tahi

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
615mm x 405mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

Here I experimented with using a single tui within a central format. The canvases are of a longer format than I have used previously but work wonderfully with the vertical nature of harakeke.

puataua korimako

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
225mm x 305mm
Archival quality acrylics, spraypaint and gesso on canvas



I love this painting to pieces. The mistiness of the background reminds me of how light filters through the bush at dawn. This is one of the times when the korimako are particularly vocal with their delightful call. Contrasting beautifully with the freshness of the greens within the korimako's (bellbird's) feathers, are the rich, earthy browns. Puataua is another of our lovely native clematis species.

pirirangi toutouwai

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
675mm x 305mm
Archival quality acrylics, spraypaint and gesso on canvas







This painting was one of my first experiments with using spray paint in the background. I really like the way that the speckles diffuse out towards the edges, an effect that I could explore further.


The little toutouwai that is making eye contact was based upon a photograph that I took myself at Tiritiri Matangi. It is not such a great one however but it captures the character and bravery of the little robin. I thought that they were just cheeky, but actually this little toutouwai was poised ready to protect its nest. I have heard that they will pursue and dive bomb anyone or thing that poses a threat to their young.