For as long as I can remember I have been putting feelings that I fail to express with words into images. Drawing is my catharsis. I have always enjoyed escaping into imaginary worlds, through books, movies, role playing games & music. Fantasy, science fiction and nature are my main themes, often with a twist of gothic and horror aesthetic. As soon as I arrived in Aotearoa, 7 years ago, I fell in love with the nature here, especially all the beautiful native birds. They quickly became a reoccurring source of inspiration for my art. I use mixed media, depending on what idea I have in mind: ink, acrylic paint, colour pencils, digital, etc.

I am inspired by the French Impressionist movement and by our manu maori. In all my acrylic paintings I try to focus on light, texture and the energy or personality of the bird. I paint things I love and I love to fling paint around. Also birds, Jude loves birds.

Isobel Te Aho-White is an illustrator by trade and is often inspired by the wildlife of Aotearoa. Isobel works in a variety of mediums and will be exhibiting watercolour, lino-cut prints and digital pieces in this exhibition.

Artist/illustrator from the Hutt. I'm inspired by music, pop culture, philosophy, psychology, symbolism, archetypes, biology, te taiao and toi Māori, and attempt to translate my thoughts on these things into nice and attractive images.

My art is a reflection of my journey through New Zealand’s wild heart. Every brushstroke carries the echoes of the South Island forests, where I grew up exploring with my survivalist father, learning not just how to survive in nature, but how to truly see it. Those long tramps—surrounded by towering trees, delicate ferns, and the songs of native birds—stirred my imagination and instilled in me a deep respect for the natural world.

With this series, I aim to capture more than just the physical beauty of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. I want to evoke the emotions I felt as a child—wonder, awe, and connection. Through watercolour and ink brushes, I try to convey the fluid, dreamlike quality of these memories and the vibrant spirit of the creatures that inhabit our land.

Art, for me, is not just a form of expression—it’s a way to honor the landscapes that shaped me. My hope is that my work will inspire others to look closer, to cherish the details, and to feel the same sense of magic and respect for the natural world that I do. Aotearoa’s beauty is a gift, and it’s my privilege to share it through my art.