Birds in the Bush

Happy New Year! Well it is February but I'm not so late if you go by the Chinese New Year.

Well I have decided to have a bit of a studio clear-out and make a determined effort to find new homes for some of my painted manu. That means a Sale! Not just any sale but a 'Birds in the Bush' sale.

Check out ellaQuaint on facebook for further details as to the manu that will be available for you to take home :)

Festive Manu

Here is a sneak preview of some of the gorgeous, new manu that I have painted for the Auckland Art and Craft Fair that is happening this Saturday.

Toutouwai in progress

Tauhou in progress

Christmas Tui

Kotare in blue

Christmas Riroriro

If hitting the malls to do your Christmas shopping seems a bit hideous, come along and see all of the fabulous wares . . .  Auckland Art and Craft Fair blog.

harakeke korimako

Harakeke Korimako

3 canvases 205mm x 205mm x 35mm each

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas


This work was one that I was particularly pleased with. I have been wanting to extend my use of colour, I can be a little nervous of using too many as it is so easy to get carried away with it. I really like the introduction of the orange within the pattern in the background. The koirmako / bellbirds turned out wickedly also.

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.

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.