Creative ID: 630
New Plymouth, and surrounding towns
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths):
I am a working artist, mainly using acrylic, oil, and encaustic medium, and I am also experienced in using drawing and mixed media when I'm teaching. My main inspiration in my personal work is my emotional connection to the land and surroundings seas, skies, forest, as well as animals. I have lived in several countries, and travelled extensively and have just moved to Taranaki after 25 years in Canterbury. All of these life experiences enrich my art. I am drawn to the beauty of the rugged Taranaki coastline and maunga Taranaki. I also love painting people and faces and narrative portraiture.
I describe my art as expressionist and sometimes merging into an abstract nature. I am passionate about teaching art and music and am greatly concerned by the increase I am seeing in perfectionism in young people. I want to give students an art experience where they can be confident exploring and where they can create something unique that they are proud of.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with:
Recognition from peers/experts – I have exhibited at Christchurch Art Show/Kaiapoi Art Show/NZ Art show, plus many community shows in Canterbury/Marlborough/Nelson/Dunedin;
Invited guest demonstrator Pegasus Art Show Galleries throughout NZ. Taranaki Arts Trail 2021
Critical Success: websites sales internationally including Australia/France/UK/USA
Large number of commissioned paintings
Successful project with schools and specialised training: employed by Ministry of Education as art educator for a health school in 2020
Post graduate diploma in Health Science (Early Intervention)
Canterbury University Music Therapist – age newborn – 6 years
Registered Suzuki piano teacher levels 1 and 2
Qualified Orff Music Instructor Levels 1 and 2
Private child and adult art instruction in visual art including encaustic
2012–2019 School holiday art classes ages 5–15
2012–2019 Hagley Community College 1-year writers’ course – short story/poetry/flash
Fiction/novel writing
Registered Nurse (Comp)
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes:
I have had many years of experience teaching and working with children and young people of all abilities, in music and arts. As well as working as a professional artist, I am an early childhood music specialist and have worked as a music therapist with babies and young children with special or develop needs. I teach Suzuki piano, and have facilitated early childhood music classes in the community. I love the cross-over between art, music, writing, and our natural surroundings, and this shows in my artwork.
At my lifestyle block, I ran school holiday art classes, as well as after-school art classes, and adult art classes. I loved the indoor/outdoor idea of art at the farm – we could do drawing inside and then be outside creating amazing art installations. I like to also teach art that is very organic and does not cost much. Using what we have in the house, just a pen or a pencil, or gathering materials from nature. Making our own paintbrushes with what we can find. Making HUGE paintbrushes out of branches!! Mark making and seeing the beauty of our work that comes from a place of exploration and imperfection.
I was employed part time by a health school to teach art. I have also been involved with teaching children coming to terms with LGBTQI issues. I have recently moved to Taranaki, and I'm loving living here. I mostly have experience in art with children from years 3 to 10. I have taught some ‘classical’ art classes, but I'm really interested in thinking more outside the box and running with ideas that come up. I like ‘messy’. I like fun. I like new ideas and weird ideas! I like fast and furious and slow and meditative. I like music and literature that overlap with art.
I love the unique experiences students bring to their art and celebrating these. I am definitely interested in teaching children and young people who have any special needs, or who may need more time or quietness. I am particularly interested in and concerned by the level of perfectionism that I’m seeing in progressively young children. I have noticed children who won't try because they may make a mistake, or hate everything they do, because it's not perfect, and this trend really seems to be increasing hugely. I love to have fun with children and their art and music, and I want them to love what they create and be proud of it!
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice:
I love sharing and teaching in a creative manner, and I find I learn so much from my students as well. It keeps my personal art practice fresh and lively! I'm caring, nurturing, and responsive to children and young people. I respect their journey and their story. I can help them express this or discover a new journey and pathway! I like to have fun, and show students how to have fun, if they've forgotten how.