Sallie Dunford, widely known as Sallie D, is a Hawkes Bay-based street artist with a rich and diverse background. Born in England in 1970, Sallie moved to New Zealand later that year with her family and has since become a dedicated citizen of Aotearoa. Her passion for art is evident through her preferred mediums of pencil, pen, watercolor, and acrylic. Currently, Sallie draws inspiration from the native flora and fauna of New Zealand, aiming to raise awareness and promote reforestation.

Sallie's artistic journey has been significantly influenced by her time living in Bermuda during her 20s, where her works focused on ocean protection. After spending 18 years in a successful corporate management career within the banking industry, she left in 2008 to focus on her family and pursue her passion for art. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter, blending motherhood with a vibrant artistic career.

As a self-taught artist and motivational public speaker, Sallie enjoys the serene lifestyle of living by the ocean and in semi-rural communities. Her artistic practice has flourished, particularly in community and educational settings across the North Island of New Zealand. Sallie has collaborated extensively with local and regional councils, schools, and early childhood organizations, often creating murals that involve and benefit tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth).

One of her notable projects, "Back to Basics," launched in 2008, focused on establishing community gardens, centers, and murals to help transition youth into the workplace. This initiative successfully supported 18 young individuals between 2009 and 2010, earning government backing. This project also led to the creation of "KIDS UNPLUGGED," an out-of-school care program in Napier designed to reduce children's reliance on technology and teach basic creative and life skills.

Sallie’s contributions to the community include numerous collaborative events that foster creativity, connection, and inclusivity. She has exhibited her work alongside other local Hawkes Bay artists in her Pop Up Gallery and supported fundraising efforts for local schools and communities. Since 2017, Sallie has been involved with the Conscious Festival Network, co-creating the HeARTS Village within various festivals across New Zealand. Her roles have included creative coordinator for family zones and arts villages, and offering live art experiences as a mural artist.

In recognition of her community efforts, Sallie was nominated for New Zealander of the Year in 2017 and was acknowledged as a regional finalist. She has received numerous certificates and awards for her community service over the years.

In 2024, Sallie is embarking on a new artistic series titled "50 Shades of Green," which will expand into "50 Plus Shades of Green" in 2025. This project aims to highlight the concept of "Art from our Heart" within the community and includes messages from those impacted by Cyclone Gabriel in 2023 in Hawkes Bay.

Sallie Dunford believes that everyone has the potential to be an artist and that creativity can flourish once individuals give themselves permission to explore and discover various mediums. She encourages playfulness and fun in the artistic process, believing that collaborative creativity can significantly enhance the experience.