Artist profiles

Mix artist travels through paint

24 April 2013

Daniel Phillips, an artist at the Mix art studio and gallery in Lower Hutt, loves the idea of travelling as much as he likes to paint. Read more.

No limits to artist’s talents

28 March 2013 

For Louise Williams, a teacher and an artist at Auckland creative space Toi Ora Live Art Trust, the arts are fundamental to her life – whether it’s painting, music, photography, dance, sculpture or printmaking. Read more.

Mosaics on Nikki Dixon’s mind

12 March 2013
Mosaics are always on Nikki Dixon’s mind. When the Toi Ora Live Art Trust artist and tutor isn’t working on a mosaic piece, she’s still thinking about the next piece she’d like to create.  Read more.

Art therapy opens up new world to Spark Centre artist

6 March 2013
“Art therapy opens up your eyes and your mind,” says Dale Murcott, who participated in a ten-week art therapy programme at Spark Centre of Creative Development in Auckland aimed at people affected by strokes. Read more.

Artist explores splattering technique 

4 February 2013
Painter Tony Archer covers anything he can get his hands on – old records, discarded teapots and guitars, big wooden boards – in brightly coloured splatters of paint. He calls the technique splattering, and says that it came to him naturally the first day he attended Dudley Arthouse, a creative space in Lower Hutt. Read more.

Spark Centre a healing place for artist 

3 December 2012

For Auckland artist Pearl Schomburg, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis three years ago, “art is about more that putting paint on a canvas. Attending Spark Centre’s art therapy classes has given structure to my life and provided an outlet for my emotions.” Read more. 

Experimenting with colour

30 October 2012

A vibrant mix of colours interact with each other on the canvases of Tanya Faiva, an artist who has been attending Studio2 once a week since 2005. She started exhibiting in the creative space’s Margaret Freeman Gallery when it opened in late 2011. Read more.

Discovering the unexpected

14 September 2012
Auckland sculptor, painter and writer Juliet Jackson has a strong belief in the power of the creative process. “I think the creative process is about tapping into your experiences and transforming them.” Read more.

An artist’s journey from dark to light

13 September 2012

Lena Durham, a self-taught painter in Hamilton and a champion of creative healing, is one of the 60 artists featuring in the exhibition “Original Voices”, presented by Arts Access and curated by Stuart Shepherd. Read more.

The diverse abilities of Daniel King

19 August 2012

Daniel King – performer, globetrotter, entrepreneur – is constantly pushing himself to extend his abilities and ambitions. The Aucklander was recognised in July when he received a Highly Commended certificate in the inaugural Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award, one of six award categories in Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Awards. Read more

Art inspired by nature

2 July 2012

Artist Denise Rush can’t imagine life without painting. “Me, I have to be painting most of the time. It’s relaxing and it’s a goal for me.” A longstanding member of Take 5 & Te Marama in Lower Hutt, an art studio for mental health service users, Denise first discovered her love of art in primary school. Read more

Artwork inspires new brand

20 June 2012

Artwork by Alpha Art Studio artist Shaun O’Riordan has inspired Arts Access Aotearoa’s new brand. Called Pop Culture, the work has been purchased by the organisation and hangs in pride of place in its office. Read more

Working with clay at Take 5 & Te Whare Marama

21 May 2012

Ivan Love is an artist, working from the Take 5 & Te Whare Marama creative space in Lower Hutt. He creates taonga puoro (traditional Māori musical instruments), including koauau (Māori flutes that sound like a bird call) and purerehua (instruments that make a deep whirring sound). Read more

From scrunched paper to pop sculpture

14 May 2012

Fraser Hoffe remembers his grandfather, now 89, telling stories and drawing pictures for him. "It was a part of our culture when I was growing up. It was just something he did with his grand kids." Read more

Inspired to make art at Pablos

7 May 2012

Judi Jenkins has a long-standing passion for her visual arts practice. She currently uses a studio space at Pablos Art Studio, working alongside a range of artists who attend the Wellington creative space. Read more

Giving his day a point

1 May 2012

Painting has given artist and former broadcaster James King a reason to get up, to do something instead of just sitting down in front of the TV. Read more

A passion for collecting

30 April 2012

Dianne Cadman's workspace at Sandz Gallery and Studio in Hamilton is lined with boxes, as are her bedrooms at home and at her bach. Read more

Discovering how to dance together

23 April 2012

"I love to dance, especially with Julia, because of the connection we have," says Melissa Fox. "I also love going to Jolt dance classes on a Tuesday night. It's a lot of fun and I enjoy meeting up with my friends as well as dancing." Read more

Colourful memories of Fiji

16 April 2012

Kamini Nair likes flowers and vibrant colours because they remind her of her homeland Fiji. Now living in Hamilton, she had her first solo show last year and her work is on display in a Sydney gallery until 7 March. Read more

Collectible creatures

9 April 2012 

Dianne Holtom has been coming to King Street Artworks in Masterton for three years now and says it's made heaps of difference to her life. Read more

Mixing painting, poetry and music

5 September 2011

Graham Wolf is a man of many talents. A self-taught painter, poet, singer, guitarist and photographer, his first solo show lines the walls of Take 5 & Te Whare Marama's Lounge Gallery in Lower Hutt until 27 September. Read more