It's always a buzz when you finish a painting --  some more than others. I'm very excited to finish his painting, and why is that you may ask? Well, I see this work as being a pivotal painting in my journey as an artist. It is a visionary and unique blend of my work to date. "The Messenger," epitomizes the seamless integration of abstract realism into my broader portfolio and embodies a deep symbolic resonance through its use of the Krystal Spiral and the iconic New Zealand Tui songbird. In my early works I incorporated one, or sometimes two landscapes in the one painting. These often ..read more

As a professional artist, each day in my studio is a blend of creativity, discipline, mess and passion. While the romantic notion of the artist at work often conjures images of inspired strokes on a canvas, the reality is a bit more chaotic than that. Join me on a journey through a typical day in my studio, where art and business intertwine to create a career in the arts. My day usually begins early, with a steaming cup of coffee and a moment of quiet contemplation. This time allows me to center myself before diving into the day's tasks. I begin with a half hour meditation which is a deep div ..read more

As an artist in the digital age, having an online presence is crucial for getting your work seen and building an audience for your art. With so much competition out there, simply posting your pieces isn't enough – you need to utilize smart marketing tactics to make your artwork stand out. Its a pretty crowded world out there. Here are some of the best strategies for marketing your art online: • Create a Captivating Website. Think of your website as your online art gallery. High-quality images, user-friendly design, and some SEO smarts can lead potential art lovers right to your work. It's m ..read more

In the realm of creative endeavors, artists often find themselves at a crossroads, tethered between the pursuit of perfection and the essential act of completion. The journey of creating art is deeply personal and immensely rewarding, yet it is also fraught with challenges, the most significant of which may be learning the art of letting go. Today I am exploring why it's crucial for artists to recognize when it's time to move on from a piece and embrace the opportunity to start fresh. At the heart of every artist's struggle lies a deep attachment to their work. This connection is born fro ..read more

The Savvy Painter podcast, hosted by artist Antrese Wood, has become a go-to resource for artists looking to deepen their understanding of the art world, refine their craft, and navigate the business side of being an artist. After a sabbatical of about seven months, she has returned to us full of energy and is raring to get going again. Thank you Antrese - I always love your podcasts. It's so good to have you back. With a blend of insightful interviews, practical advice, and artistic inspiration, her podcast has garnered a dedicated following among artists of all levels. One of the standout f ..read more

MY world is upside down. This is a good thing. My studio is 3000 miles away and I am enjoying a wonderful break in the wilds of Aotearoa - Land of the Long white cloud. So glad to be back again. It's been a while. Just over a year and the last trip was definitely memorable but not in a good way. It’s much calmer this year and  I'm happy to be with my family again and connecting with my motherland, my muse. Cathedral Cove has long been a favourite place. I first discovered it when I was about 14 on a holiday with my parents and at that time you had to walk over the hills for over half an ..read more

Selling art on Instagram is a powerful way to reach a global audience and turn your passion into a profitable venture. Here’s how you can use this vibrant platform to showcase your work and connect with buyers. One of the most important things is to create a visually cohesive feed Your Instagram feed is your gallery. Each post should be a piece of art in itself. Create a cohesive look by using consistent filters or a specific color palette. This not only makes your profile visually appealing but also helps in building your brand. It helps to make you visible in a highly competitive market. Us ..read more

Who controls your mind? most of us think that we do, but have you ever considered how many outside influences you expose your mind to on a daily basis? Let's take a look at that: 1.      social media 2.      mainstream news 3.      other people's opinions 4.      family 5.      work colleagues 6.      books 7.      TV shows to name a few. If you think these things don't have any influence over your mindset then you're pr ..read more

Writing for social media can be a very time-consuming endeavour in my experience. One of the things I found that helps is to have a plan. Figure out a whole bunch of things that you might want to share and talk about and put them into a calendar. I find this really destresses the process for me. I don’t have to think about what to write, I can just get on with it. You know it's a bit like - what can I cook for dinner? I often think that trying to figure out what to cook is the worst part of cooking. One of the ways I further simplify this process is to divide the months into four topic areas ..read more

Come and join me for a drawing adventure next Sunday the 18th of Feb. Have you always wanted to learn to draw, then come along and join our small, intimate workshop and learn the basics. COURSE DETAILS: ​ WHEN:     February 18, 2024 WHERE:   Art Classes Central Coast Studios - 60 Maitland Rd, Springfield  INVESTMENT: $145 or  Early bird payment of $120 if paid by Sunday, February 11. TIME: 9 am - 1.30 pm PAYMENT DETAILS: Payment in cash only.  AVAILABILITY: Spaces are very limited for this workshop, so you will need to apply early to secure yo ..read more