50 Shades of Green 2024

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In my studio, a new series of 12 pieces is taking shape, each painted exclusively in shades of green—a color that has become deeply significant to me. These works are more than just paintings; they are expressions of my heart and soul, created during a period of personal healing. Each piece reflects intimate connections, loss, grief, the inspiration of sacred unions, and above all, Love.

Green, the color of the heart chakra, has guided me through a journey of profound grief after the loss of both my parents over the past three years. This experience brought about a depth of emotion I hadn’t encountered before, and at times, it disrupted my creative flow. Initially, I approached the idea of working only with greens as a fun challenge, perhaps even a bit cheeky. But as an artist who has spent nearly two decades painting over 500 square meters of murals across Aotearoa New Zealand—mostly focusing on the natural flora and fauna—I quickly realized that the color green holds endless possibilities. There are far more than just 50 shades of green.

As a mentor and teacher who is passionate about sustainability, the "50 shades of green" theme also resonates with my commitment to creating art from recycled and repurposed materials. Transforming what others might consider waste into beautiful artworks is a practice I deeply believe in, and this series continues that tradition.

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to take the "50 shades of green" concept beyond my studio and into the community of Hawke's Bay. I plan to create a series of murals that reflect our collective journey of healing following the devastating floods that have left a lasting impact on our region. Through these murals, I hope to capture the “Bigger Picture” of our experiences and emotions during this life-changing event.

As an artist who has long used visual storytelling to document history and emotions, I believe that art can support others in their own healing journeys. A picture paints a thousand words, and through these murals, I aim to create spaces where we can all share, heal, and find hope together.