Well I don’t think anyone expected the year we have all had! Nor have I experienced such a global event before. Certainly has been a rollercoaster year so far.
My year started off on a high with the best day of my life. The day I married my best friend. Our special day, February 29th 2020. We had family and friends from overseas all here to celebrate with us. The rain cleared, the sun shone and everything came together. Love, hugs, laughter, a magical bubble that we didn't want to end. Our guests all safely returned home and Mark and I snuck off for a mini-moon to Akaroa to a tiny house off the grid. Two weeks later we, along with the rest of New Zealand, were thrown into Level 4 lockdown. We now realised how lucky we were to have our wedding with all our loved ones there with us.
Lockdown
Lockdown brought us many challenges. Restrictions that we had never seen before in our lifetimes - no leaving in the house other than groceries, no socialising, working from home and our borders closed for the first time potentially ever! Among those challenges I was thrown into a creative block as I processed the changes around me. Eventually I found my creative groove.
Inspired by lockdown and how everyone copes in their own way - I drew ‘Reaching for the food Kiwi’, ‘Yoga Kiwi’, ‘Starjump Kiwi’, ‘Reading Kiwi’ and ‘Cuppa Tea Kiwi’.
New Zealand as well as many other countries around the world saw a surge in home baking while populations were confined to their homes. So much so that flour, yeast and other baking staples were constantly missing from the shelves! Many families tried their hand at baking bread for the first time. My go-to recipe during lockdown was biscotti! I became a master at it. I decided to use a baking tray I had been saving for years and paint a ‘Proud Baker’ self portrait inspired by all the talented folk baking in kitchens across the country. Well done New Zealand!
Heather Sheep, 2020, Oil on canvas, 9000 x 450mm , (35.4 in x 17.7 in)
Sheep Commission
Above was the first commission I created since the pandemic started. It was started during lockdown (Level 4) and it was an absolute delight to paint. The character of these sheep was amazing! I will create more in-depth post about the process of this commission soon.
Kaikoura Ranges, 2020, Oil on canvas, 9000 x 500mm , (35.4 in x 19.6 in)
Kaikoura Ranges Commission
Following on from the sheep commission I was lucky to paint this beautiful Kaikoura scene for a lovely client. Something about blues and greens are so peaceful. I loved the challenge of the buildings and also the lowering of the snowline from the reference photo credit to Neil Protheroe of Images Abound. I plan to create post about this commission showing you more of the process.
A new range of cards!
I've been busy working on a new range of greeting cards for general use. I am committed to printing locally on recycled materials and donating a portion to wildlife charities. At the time I write this I am yet to announce the organisation that this range will contribute towards.
Here is a sneak peek at the new range before I reveal the complete set.
