Realist Artist Georgette Thompson

Artist Story

Georgette Thompson is a realist wildlife painter based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. She describes her works as realist with a surreal twist. Georgette worked in the advertising/design industry for 10 years before making the leap to painting full-time in 2021. She delights in sharing her quirky sense of humour, striving to make viewers smile or even better - chuckle.

In her latest series, Georgette plays with ‘visual puns’. ‘In A Robin Named Hood’ - Georgette dressed up a South Island Robin in a Robin Hood outfit. The forest is soft, gentle and peaceful, the kind of calm stealth you would need as an archer. Georgette likes to make the illusion seem as realistic as possible, so that the viewer might need to double take. Her work ‘Kiwi Dip’ played on the classic party chip accompaniment the ‘kiwi onion dip’. She quite simply depicted a Kiwi taking a ‘dip’ in a natural hot pool, in the most nonchalant manner. Georgette often dreams up what mischief our native birds might get up to in the forest when humans aren’t watching. 

Georgette has always had a strong desire to have a positive impact on the world around her. Inspired to give back to nature, Georgette created a range of greeting cards that donate to local wildlife charities.

Hear about what motivates my artist creation and a more in depth conservation about my journey. Filmed and edited by Tegan Clark Photography.

Giving Back

I have always had a strong desire to have a positive impact on the world around me. I knew I wanted to find a way for my art to help fundraise for the charities that are close to my heart. I have a strong connection to nature and the beautiful wildlife that inhabits our planet. In particular the native birds in my home country New Zealand give me so much joy and nourish my soul. So I created a range of greeting cards which fundraises for local wildlife charities. Since launching my first range I have gone on to create three more projects that support three more charities. To read more about my work with local charities follow the button below.

My Crazy Illustrations

To counterbalance my larger projects I developed a style of ‘relaxation’ art. I allow the process to drive the outcome, and the results are spontaneous, playful and some may call them “a-little-crazy”.

The watercolour wash is the foundation, laid down with no predetermined purpose. Brush strokes are applied as kinaesthetic relaxation with a focus to how they physically feel rather than what they create visually.

Once the watercolour dries I look into the random shapes until I see something. The familiar blends with the whimsically strange, and a story evolves. Often animals turn into monsters but always with bold colour, imagination, and a sense of humour. I write short stories to accompany the artwork which provides a further window into this mad world.

My goal is to keep these works fun-loving, spontaneous and lighthearted. If this art was a person I’d love to meet them, they sound like a good laugh!

Behind the Scenes Me

I'm just your average kiwi girl living the good life in Christchurch, New Zealand with my husband Mark and our gorgeous twins.

When I'm not painting or creating I enjoy getting outside. In the winter I'm hitting the ski slopes with Mark. Skiing is a relatively new sport to us both which we are lapping up.

In the summer months Mark and I like to head out in our hobie 16 yacht and explore Lyttelton harbour. It was at our favourite launching spot that we got engaged at the end of 2018. We enjoyed celebrating our wedding at the end of Feb 2020.

It was a delight to extend our family with our twins Ella and Eddie arriving in February of 2022. Life is a whole lot more richer!

Commissions

I am always happy to discuss commission ideas. Time frames vary depending on the complexity of the piece. If you have a particular date in mind, please inquire in advance as much possible.