About Spaced Art

Welcome!
As a mathematically-minded fan of astronomy, sci-fi, and the ever- shifting shades of nature, I enjoy creating alternate views of our world for people to enjoy thinking about. The idea of parallel universes is very appealing, and I explore this by contrasting night and day, black and white versus colour, and mix up paints and photographs at random.

I am continuously experimenting with various media, and methods of display, and recently completed a 31 day project focusing on the Wairarapa in New Zealand. It was thoroughly enjoyable exploring the area and finding secret places, then posting a daily drawing.

“On the Rocks” is another delightful project which still sells 20 years on from the first image of Mt Maunganui.

I have exhibited in various places around the country and regularly create pieces for the seasonal exhibitions at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington.

The galleries below showcase the various media styles I enjoy working with and I have attempted to categorise these variations. I attempt to keep a surreal thread running throughout my art whether the subject matter is landscapes, nature vs technology, political and social, or just plain silliness!

Click any image to see a larger version. Click anywhere on the image to close it.

IMMERSION

The tension between the natural world versus the human manipulation of it through computer technology is a concern. We have been gradually railroaded for decades into an acceptance of this 'progress', and when it becomes impossible to backtrack, there will be a takedown of worldwide communication systems, whether by accident or cyber-terrorism. The ramifications will be unfortunate indeed. I hope to have a number of artworks ready during 2023 and plan to tour the exhibition across the North Island.

CENTREPIECES

As an avid jigsaw puzzler I was keen to incorporate some pieces in my art. This has evolved over the years and what you see here is now my standard popular version. Contrasting B&W with colour, or night and day, are my favourite options, but there's always room for more experimenting! COMMISSIONS are open for these artworks.

UNFOLDING VISIONS

As an amateur astronomer I enjoy observing the changes in the sky and the light; the shadows and the leaching of the colours as the day dips into the night. And then there are parallel worlds, right?

PLAYTIME

A variety of ideas, from cartoons to photographs, from pastels to paintings. Lots of playing with those quirky ideas that spring up out of the blue. Hope these make you smile :-)

OUTSIDE IN

The integration of photographs into a segment of a painting was an idea that came about from looking at views through the windows of derelict buildings. The later pieces combine drawings with photographs. "Earthbound", the planet within a koru, is a limited edition series of 50. These framed prints are 11x14", and the collection is nearing the finish.

ON THE ROCKS

"New Zealand on the Rocks" is a series of painted images photographed under water. Trying to paint sun ripples wasn't getting me anywhere fast and I decided to do a regular painting first then photograph it under the water, which worked perfectly in the right conditions. I started with Mt Maunganui in 2003 and finished with Castlepoint in 2014, and there are plans for more. The series has sold particularly well, and various companies have also asked for the images in greeting card format. The images are presented both in matt form and as postcards, and these are also shown below. ORDERS are processed regularly - contact me using the FORM.

New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington NZ - Seasonal exhibitions - regular exhibitor
Dec 2022-Feb2023; Wellington Arts Review, Whirinaki Whare Taonga
October 2022; Heart of Arts, Carterton
June 2022; Heart of Arts, Carterton
Dec 2021-Feb 2022 NZ Sotheby's International Realty Art Review at Aratoi, Masterton (Entry SOLD)
August 2021 - "Drawing the Wairarapa in 31 Days", Heart of Arts, Carterton
Dec 2017 – present; Regular exhibitor at ConArt container gallery, Masterton
January 2020; Summer exhibition, NZAFA
November 2019; Heart of Arts, Carterton
June / December: NZAFA, Wellington
March 2019 Thistle Hall WELLINGTON
Sept 2018 Big Wai Art sale, Carterton
August 2018 - Aratoi, Masterton
May 2018 Wairarapa Art Sale, Featherston
Apr 1 - Apr 29 2018 NZ Academy of Fine Arts Autumn Exhibition, Wellington
Mar 29 - Jul 31 2018 Paintings at Pukaha, Mt Bruce.
Feb 2018 "Quirks and Charming Strangeness", Heart of Arts, Carterton
Dec 2017 Wairarapa Art Review, Aratoi
Dec 2017 NZ Academy of Fine Arts Summer Exhibition, Wellington
Sept 2017 Big Wai Art sale, Carterton
May 2017 Wairarapa Art Sale, Featherston
October 2006 NZ Academy of Fine Arts Solo Exhibition, Wellington
July 2005 NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington
June 2005 Women's Work - Gisborne
February 2005 NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington
Jan 2004 Te Uku Gallery, SH23, Raglan
November 2003 4 Art Sake, Ohope (feature artist)
February 2003 Molly Morpeth Canaday exhibition
September 2002 Pyromania, Tauranga

Other work

Public commissions
Aesthetica Magazine U.K. -  Entry in August 2022 edition.
"New Zealand on the Rocks" New Zealand landmarks project. Global exposure and sales.
New York Arts magazine
Craccum ; Auckland University magazine front page artwork
2005 Cargo Shed Mural, Tauranga (The Shed was eventually 'renovated' and cladded with corrugated iron but the mural is alive and well underneath it!)
Corporate artworks for Waikato University, Port of Tauranga, KiwiPollen.
Corporate gifts of individually painted canvasses for VASS, NZ (now "Inclusive NZ")