Over a 5 week period I have had the pleasure of being the 2017 Samuel Marsden Artist in Residence. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work on some pieces for my Grimm Project as well as run workshops with the students and introduce them to how this practicing artist creates her paintings.

Some of the workshops have included figurative drawing, mask making (from being influenced by ‘The Golden Bird’ paintings) and visual story telling. The work they have produced has been terrific, I’ve really enjoyed working with the students.

For my own artworks I’ve used the opportunity of being in a new studio space within a girls school to let the new environment and surrounding area influence my work. So some of the colours and imagery of the area have made it’s way into my work. Including changing the 2 protagonists from the story ‘The Singing Bone’, who were brothers, into sisters instead.  Two of the students from Marsden posed for the work.

At the end of the residency my work, along with some of the student work, will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in Wellington from 24th June – 2nd July