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 kahurangi

Hei Tiki Kahurangi

305mm x 405mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylicson canvas


Here is one of my latest works. I was interested in seeing what would happen if I used a blue background. One of the meanings of kahurangi is blue. It can also translate to mean jewel, a treasured possession and is one of the most prized forms of pounamu (greenstone, New Zealand jade).

puriri piwakawkaka

3 canvases 205mm x 205mm x 35mm each
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas


Here two little piwakawaka (fantails)chatter to each other. I am trying to look to other ways to add a life-like vitality to the birds / manu that I paint, showing movement or singing, chirping is a way that I can do that. The branches of the puriri tree are more cropped into the foliage than what I normally depict. This opens up the composition and allows the piwakawaka to be the main focus. It increases the naturalism of the scene.

tui mouku

Diptych 2 canvases 305mm x 225mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas


This was a commission that I really enjoyed working upon, it features a tui perched among flowers of ngutu-kaka (kaka beak). I am really happy with how I have managed to further explore playing with simplified kowhaiwhai forms in the tui's collar feathers. The background has layered up silhouetted of mouku (hen and chicken fern).

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.