Artists who have influenced me.
Celebrating Artists - an introduction to my passion for art.
I’m an avid art lover, I not only collect art but also create and sell my own pieces.
My cosy wee cottage is arguably too small to serve as both living space and creative painting studio. But there are too few walls to display all the incredible art I've collected over the years.
So, through this article I aim to honour and express my gratitude to artists who have influenced me and brought me joy. I'll profile their work, explore their unique styles and mediums, and discuss what inspired me to buy their artwork.
Time allowing I’ll do my best to add an artist and artwork every few weeks.
Thank you for joining me on this artistic journey!
Some of the art and artists I’ll profile in no particular order are;
| Simon Raine | Tame Iti | Catherine Roberts |
| Darcy Nicolas | Robyn Kahukiwa | Bernard Winkels |
| Caroline Beaufort | Nestor Opetaia | Walter Churton |
| Julia Bromley | Lee-Ann Dixon | Peter Deckers |
| Helen Casey | Solomon Daniel |
Bevan Taka |
| Mikayla Forster | Toni Kingstone | Kevin Sloan |
Disclaimer: Opinions are not facts. What I write here is my own opinion born from my own experience. IMO is an acronym for in my opinion.
Toni Kingstone - The Pouakai Crossing - Undated.
Acrylic and resin painting, framed on box canvas 42cm x52cm $475.
What drew me to this artwork was the huge swirling colours, slivers of gold and sparkles. On closer inspection I saw the beautifully intricate detail of Taranaki Mounga / Mount Taranaki.
This painting aligned perfectly with my personal celebration of Taranaki Mounga / Mount Taranaki getting the same legal rights as a person in 2025. Yay! I was stoked to hang this beauty up on a wall that gets the most thoroughfare, where it's enjoyed every day!
When someone asks why I bought this painting here’s what I’d like them to know.
I would dearly love to see much more of Aotearoa protected with living entity status.
Be kaitiaki of Aotearoa. Support the Treaty.
In January 2025 New Zealand Parliament / Crown made a collective redress to the eight Taranaki Iwi / Tribes and bestowed legal personhood on Taranaki Mounga under the name Te Kāhui Tupua.
Te Awa Tupua / Whanganui River and Te Urewera National Park also have legal protection as living entities.
Mount Taranaki is sacred to Māori.
In 1865 in direct violation of the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi, the Crown punished Māori by confiscating 1.2 million acres of Taranaki land, including Taranaki Mounga / Mount Taranaki.
The Crown continually ignored the rights of the tangata whenua / people to their ancestral mountains. Nor did the Crown create all the reserves it promised. After Māori protests, the Crown returned some reserves, but not the mountains, instead the Crown decided they were a forest reserve, then a national park.
The legislative bill goes into detail about how the Crown royally screwed things up. It’s failures, lies, deceit, the many missed opportunities for remedy, and an apology.
Mounga is the Taranaki region spelling for mountain / maunga.
I love this artwork – thankyou Toni!
Mikayla Forster - Forest Floor - 2024.
Oil painting, on box canvas 25cms x30cms $350.
Mikayla Forster is an artist to watch! Mikayla blends meticulous attention to detail, with remarkable dedication to light and texture, and creates a beautiful sense of compassionate magic.
In a nano second her paintings grabbed my full attention with their exquisite enchantment and technical brilliance.
This rangatahi wahine pūmanawa / talented young woman taught herself how to paint.
Mikayla radiates warm, kind and gentle energy that flows into her work, and this beautiful energy channels through to the viewer.
When I saw this cute wee whimsical Forest Floor painting it instantly reminded me of the magic mushrooms that grew wild in Scotland. Folk laugh when I call it my wee magic mushroom painting, but it literally is!
This artwork proudly hangs where it gets seen most as I feel happy each time I see it! I intend to live the rest of my life with joy, and this painting encaptures exactly that.
Mikayla generously allowed me to use this clip showing a whetū mārama / shining star in action. Isn't she brilliant?
Simon Raine - New Beginnings - 2024.
Oil painting, framed on box canvas 60cms x60cms $650.
I spotted this oil painting upstairs at the Art Loft Gallery in Taranaki and immediately fell in love with its ethereal beauty. It reminded me of the abstract Taranaki beach scene I’d photographed the evening before. The sunset refracted over volcanic black sand. Nothing quite like it really, simply breathtaking. Photos below.
Simon was painting in situ at the Art Loft. He said he intended to add significantly more to the painting and mentioned refractions. The synchronized serendipity blew me away and I instantly fell in love with the work. To me, the painting looked finished. I was stoked when Simon graciously allowed me to buy it as it was.
This painting sits above my desk at work, and brings me happiness every day, thank you Simon!
Taranaki has a magnificent and wonderfully unpretentious art scene. The art is made with love and huge community support. If you haven’t been to the Art Loft or done the arts trail and galleries in Taranaki - please do.
I must mention the outstanding eateries and restaurants – there’s literally top quality dining in New Plymouth. It’s a great place for a romantic or family getaway, a surf, or rock climb… The waterfront, river, and many stunning walks and gardens are just beautiful.
As a destination Taranaki punches so far above its weight. It would be rude of me to keep this enchanting place a secret.
Tame Iti – Untitled - 2016.
Acrylic Painting on thick black bitumen drawing paper 30cms x 23cms $350 purchased second hand.
Tame is of Of Ngāi Tūhoe descent and I have been a huge fan of Tame Iti since I learnt of his (allegedly) wrongful arrest. Through friends, I know two of the other so called terrorists who were also arrested. Both are wonderful, kindhearted and peaceful people. They were arrested on ridiculous charges trussed up as terrorism. A total circus, all on the taxpayer’s purse.
The racialised raids at Tūhoe were indefensible. Another stain on the level of freedoms of different peoples - afforded by small groups who pretend it’s not called racist subjugation, instead it is called the law. Don’t get me wrong, we need laws, but they must be written by all people. Not by a specific group of unevolved patriarchal white fullas.
I mean the most awe inspiring Māori women were completely written out of white New Zealand history. Take Waitohi, the eldest sister of Te Rauparaha. Waitohi was the distinguished leader of Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa tribes and mother of Chief Te Rangihaeata. Or the fact white coloniser men refused to allow leading female Māori Tribal Chiefs to sign Ti Tiritu / The Treaty of Waitangi. There are always two sides to every story. NZ has a lot to reflect on, acknowledge and resolve. Some people will never get this. Perhaps because they haven’t done the mahi on themselves, or maybe because they don’t comprehend New Zealand’s abusive history toward Māori, or that NZ history has been inaccurately recorded by colonist white men.
IMO New Zealand hasn’t become more racist; it’s always been racist. Racism is abuse. It can come in the form of harassment, humiliation, exploitation, mistreatment, violence and intimidating behaviour. For example, I was raised in an abusive and violent home. I learnt during therapy that abuse is all about dominance and control. If I conformed to abuser demands - things would be ok. But as I grew up, developed independence, gained autonomy, and my own voice - I was no longer submissive.
During therapy I also learnt that abusers know exactly what they’re doing. Sound familiar? IMO New Zealand isn’t descending into racism; I think it’s emerging from it. Now that there’s enough of us who recognise abuse for what it is, we pose a real threat to abuser control. So don't lose hope! More of us will emerge and together we are powerful.
But back to Tame, well he went on the daft voyage the crown forcibly sent him on, which was prison. I love it that Tame is reported as a model prisoner. Of course he was. He’s a Māori man who advocates against racism and abuse through his art. Which has gone from strength to strength. Tame is an activist, an artist and a shithot filmmaker and I’m a huge fan. I look at his work and feel it in my soul.
Big ups Tame Iti!
Robyn Kahukiwa - Wahine Moko 2013 on left - Mana Wahine 2003 on right.
I purchased these two prints second hand, to me they are taogna and I treasure them.
Robyn is my hero; she’s a painter and illustrator who lives on the Kapiti Coast and of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Konohi, Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare, and Te Whānau-a-Te Aotawarirangi descent.
The Wahine Moko Print is pictured on the left below. I love the simplicity and starkly strong portrait of the wahine / woman with two huia feathers in her hair.
In pre-European times the huia bird was regarded by Māori as tapu / sacred, and the wearing of its feathers was reserved for people of high status or mana. In a culture without money, tribes occupying the North Island where the huia lived - sent the feathers as gifts, or traded them with other tribes for taonga / treasures like greenstone / pounamu.
The Huia bird feathers were prized by both Māori and Pākehā.
Māori were the first to try and save the huia from extinction. Legislation was passed in 1892 to stop hunting the birds, but it was too late...
Tail feathers became fashionable in Britain after the Duke of York was photographed wearing one during a 1901 visit to New Zealand.
The last known sighting of the Huia birds was in December 1907.
Huia feathers are now some of the most valuable in the world.
This Wahine Moko print signifies to me the existential sacred value of strong wahine / women.
It looks like a woodblock print to me, because of the inking style and beautifully handmade paper, but could potentially be a screenprint or lithograph.
Block printing is a print making technique when a reverse image or design is carved into wooden block, hardboard, or linoleum, then the raised areas are inked - usually with rollers, but sometimes hand painted. The inked block is carefully set down on a surface like paper or fabric and pressed into or rolled through a heavy press. When the block is lifted off, the inked image is transferred on to the paper.
The numbers 129/400 at the bottom of the image - mean that this is number 129 of a run of 400 prints.
The ’13 at the bottom right, means the print run was in 2013. But there may have been many print runs. I do know this image was produced in 2003 – so there could have been 1000’s of prints made.
My understanding is Robyn prints everything by hand.
Mana Wahine pictured on the right was purchased second hand from Soul Sisters Kombucha, which used to be on Cuba Street. Best Kombucha in the world both healing and delicious rongoā māori.
Being a proud single parent myself - Mana Wahine is super symbolic for me, especially with wee boy and girl attached via umbilical cord. This print is 88/200, so number 88 of a print run of 200 – the ’03 means it was printed in 2003.
I love looking at these two pieces of art every day. They inspire me. The first time I saw a Robyn Kahukiwa artwork I was a young girl. I was instantly mesmerised by the simplicity of her work and it's deeply enriched symbolism. But my jaw dropped when my teacher told me Robyn was female – the first women artist I’d seen anywhere, ever. An actual woman!
Say what you like, but it’s been a man’s world and women’s contribution have largely been written out of history. Either that or a dude has taken credit. After the 1970s some female artists only started to be given some of the recognition they deserve.
It might have been 9 September 1893 when the governor Lord Glasgow signed a new Electoral Act into law, and women got the right vote. But the younger generation coming through don't really seem to comprehend wahine history and how hard we've fought for equity, and that we're still not there yet. Women have been excluded and even today remain unrepresented in all areas that matter.
To me, Robyn’s art is a time stamp that accurately records history from wahine perspective.
It wasn’t until after 1974 New Zealand women could get bank loan or mortgage in their own right. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) of 1974 outlawed discrimination against loan applicants based on sex, marital status, or family status. But even in the 1980s, single women were often denied mortgages or loans or only allowed them if a male relative guaranteed the loan. But women, and Māori in particular, were largely locked out of the New Zealand loan / housing market until the 1990s.
It’s only 50 years ago since the Equal Pay Act was passed, yet today - women are still paid less than men for the same job.
New Zealand’s got a long way to go to address its misogynism. That said, any of the ‘isms’ are abuse, and a societal issue for which - we are all responsible. We can do better. Even though we have made amazing strides towards equity, our nation is not yet the egalitarian society it can be.
It’s no wonder de-centring of some men is occurring. Hopefully those who should evolve - do, rather than avoid their collective responsibility. Men should be happy women are only asking for equity,,,,,,, rather than revenge... lols.
I remain eternally optimistic. If you're like many victims of emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse, it may be hard to believe that there are good and healthy men out there – but here's the truth: good men really do exist. Quick, let’s chuck them in a petri dish and clone ‘em!
Next, I profile another wonderful man!
Bernard Winkels; www.berniewinkels.com
Bernie is my fav. He is a hugely talented painter, potter, ceramic artist and craftsman. We’ve enjoyed a wonderful enduring friendship since Whitiriea Polytechnic Art College days. The first time I met Bernie; we in a stationary queue of students. He made constructive use of the wait by laying down and stretching out on the ground. Even then, Bernie was completely unique in a very long line of people. We introduced ourselves and he explained he had a bad back from his drain laying days. We have remained friends and enjoyed much laughter ever since.
Bernie is an exuberant, fun and super kind and caring tāne. I’ve always loved his art because of his unique perspective, the inner child nascent quality it has, and his ability to make me proper snort laugh.
Bernie’s long-time partner Maelyn is also a fabulous artist too. During his bee keeping days I remember the beautiful honeycomb heart painting Bernie created for Maelyn. Or his exquisitely detailed meat and sausages oil paintings. Was quite surprised to see the exact replica of Bernies artistic sausages appear on Thunderpants NZ underwear in 2016. My daughter and I instantly recognised Bernies distinctive artwork.
In the photograph above, image on far left is a quick draw McGraw painting I did mid 1990s of Bernie stretching out his sore back and shoulders. The play on words says; Bernards potty opinions often got him not nowhere but somewhere. Twinkle Winkle you little star, I wonder where the hell you are.
The middle photo shows a Stetson wearing youthful Bernie (but always waaay older than me) during his paper cup rustling days at art college. On the far right is Bernies phenomenal big apple work.
Did I mention Bernie is an incredible cook? And made the best wine I’ve ever tasted? Homemade Feijoa wine. OMG. The fruit came from his tree. He gave me several bottles to bring home to share with my friends. It was so incredible I drank the lot. I think there are a few folk who attended Bernie's exhibitions who will remember that spectacular Feijoa wine. Hic, hic. I don't drink these days, but would willingly take it up again for Bernie's Feijoa wine.
I have many of Bernie's pottery pieces and wall tiles, but in the photo below I’ve profiled his cute wee ceramic TV or television set complete with antennae, together with his pizza piece paintings on hardboard. I had those framed, as they weirdly reminded me of Mana Island, and I love all the cylindricity and undulating spikes.
Bernies art brings me joy, laughter and a beautiful warm energy. I love what he dreams up, his direction and his full heart approach to life. He has this ability to keep moving, keep creating and each time show us something unique - sometimes we couldn’t have ever thought of - something new.
I look forward to Bernies creations, they make me grin.
Love you Bernstar! Mwah!
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