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Step into Art by the Sea's archive of previous art gallery exhibitions by solo artists. There remains a strong collection of art for sale in this space, and a chance to see past work by our award-winning New Zealand artists. ARCHIVE SOLO EXHIBITIONS Welcome to this collection of past art gallery exhibitions (including some with art for sale) by Art by the Sea's award-winning New Zealand artists. Enjoy exploring the incredible bodies of work that our artists have created and that we have been so proud to help curate and present. 2025 Tallulah Nunez Sanctuary Jan. 3 - Jan.26 Anna Korver Collections Feb. 22 - Mar. 15 Holly Haines Landscapes: A World Apart Apr. 12 - May 8 2024 Jules Kesby Into the Light Jan. 27 - Feb. 14 Tallulah Nunez Ice Bombs & Sand Blasts Feb. 24 - March 11 Rosemary Eagles Drifting Through Seasons March 16 - April 4 Bill Hayes Works in Cone 6 April 6 - May 8 Natalie Pearce Midnight Garden 17 Aug. - 12 Sept. Craig Platt September Show September Julie Whyman Exhibition 19 Oct. - 31 Oct. 2023 Tallulah Nunez Standing on the Sun Feb. 25 - March 14 Mark Dimock Muse March 25 - April 17 Craig Platt Land Sea Sky April 29 - May 17 Natalie Pearce Broken Open July 8 - July 26 Anna Korver Exhibition Aug. 5 - Aug. 24 Zoe Feng Exhibition Sep. 2 - Sept. 21 Christian Nicolson Further Anecdotes of My Youth Sept. 25 - Oct. 5 Holly Haines A Journey in Oils Oct. 7 - Oct. 20 Tallulah Nunez Collectors' Edition Oct. 21 - Nov. 3 Brendan Adams Are We There Yet? Nov. 11 - Nov. 27 2022 Paul Hooker Landscapes & Figures Feb. 26 - March 24 Bill Hayes A Life Between Breaths May 28 - June 13 Zoe Feng Exhibition July 9 - July 26 Christian Nicolson My Trip to the South Island Oct. 1 - Oct.18 Graham Downs Water & Reflections Oct. 29 - Nov .15 Rosemary Eagles Sharing Coastal Visions Nov. 19 - Dec 6 2021 Anna Korver The Lighthouse Jan 16 - Feb 1 Joe Kemp Tironui Feb. 27 - March 31 Christian Nicolson Ready to Roll April 10 - April 27 Mark Dimock 40th May 8 - May 24 Zoe Feng Breathe Again May 29 - June 15 Rosemary Eagles Past to Present Sept. 11 - Oct. 5 Graham Downs From the Wellspring Oct. 9 - Oct. 26 Kirsty Nixon Greenscenes Oct. 30 - Nov. 16 Craig Platt Our Birds Dec. 3 - Dec. 18 2020 Paul Hooker Cirque March 14 - April 2 Rosemary Parcell Drawing in Paint July 11 - July 28 Derek March Homeland Oct. 4 - Oct. 20 2019 Joe Kemp Carving a Pathway of Humanity April 6 - April 23 Anna Korver Necessary Protection Feb. 23 - March 30

Art by the Sea is an Auckland art gallery in Takapuna (formerly a Devonport art gallery) selling contemporary New Zealand art by established and emerging artists. Brand new art exhibitions (Auckland) held every 4-6 weeks with an exhibition opening and artist talk. Art by the Sea Making connections through art NOW SHOWING PAUL HOOKER ECLECTIC An exhibition of fine art oil painting by established Auckland figurative artist and former university teacher Paul Hooker. 17 May - 3 June. Exhibition opening & artist talk: 4pm, Saturday 17 May. View Exhibition > Lyndy Wilson Lyndy Wilson Jule Kesby Jules Kesby Graham Downs Graham Downs Christian Nicolson Christian Nicolson UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS RECENT EXHIBITIONS About ABOUT US Kia Ora Koutou e nga Manuhiri. Nau mai, haere mai, haere mai. Hello and welcome to our gallery of Aotearoa New Zealand art by contemporary established and emerging artists. Art by the Sea is an Auckland art gallery that specialises in high-end and affordable original art by New Zealand artists including paintings, sculptures, photography, and multimedia. Formerly a Devonport art gallery, we are now located in Takapuna. The gallery is a business but it is also a communal space that draws in residents and travellers alike seeking a little time-out and inspiration away from the chaos of today. We are kaitiaki (guardians) of this space. And this space provides manaakitanga (respect, support, and hospitality) to all who visit it. Hei kona mai. We look forward to welcoming you into our gallery. Linda and Mike Geers More > PROUDLY 100% NZ MADE Shop Now

Inventive New Zealand pottery and functional art for sale by Brendan Adams, ceramic designer. Brendan's little ceramic cars and ceramic wall art nz are creative, playful, and often come with a practical use. Find NZ art and Auckland potters at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Brendan Adams Ceramic Designer Brendan Adams is an inventive contemporary ceramic designer and Auckland potter. He is known for his pacific colours, inventiveness, creative play, ceramic wall art, and clever functional art. More > See inside Brendan's studio > Careful Now, It Will Take Your Eye Out Price $2,200.00 Endangered Bird Car Price $520.00 Plymouth Belvedere Price $2,200.00 Graceland Price $1,200.00 Blue Racer Price $950.00 Hollow Block Car Price $950.00 Turquoise perfume bottle with brambles Price $830.00 Turquoise collared bottle with brambles Price $830.00 Passenger Price $1,850.00 Driver Five Price $2,200.00 Driver Six Out of stock Driver Four Price $2,200.00 Long Grass Out of stock Kauri Point Magazine - Tall Price $1,000.00 Terracotta Kitchen FM Radio Price $830.00 Exhibitions Bio I trained as a painter but it was colour and all the possibilities of form and texture that attracted me to ceramics, and I am still stuck in the mud! One of the great things about clay is that there never seems to be an end to what you can do with it. As someone who likes to muck around with lots of ideas, clay has been the perfect partner in crime. I really do feel I have only just started. Brendan Adams is a pottery artist and ceramic designer who has amassed a large following of clientele drawn to his creative and highly innovative sculpture and ceramic wall art (NZ). He is known for his brightly coloured slipcast ceramics, originally using Crown Lynn clay. More recently, his contemporary abstract and figurative designs have seen him include other materials such as steel, brass, aluminium, and wood. While many of his pieces are decorative, some also serve a function, as we see in his ceramic art bird feeders, candle holders, smartphone speakers, and working radios. Brendan has been making a living from clay since 1987. He and his wife Kathryn set up a ceramic shop selling affordable original art in Kingsland, which they ran for ten years. In 2013, they opened Front Room Gallery where they exhibited their own work and featured other New Zealand potters. Together, they now run Brendan Adams Designs from their home studio in Auckland. Brendan has a diploma in Fine Arts from Otago Polytechnic, where he majored in painting. He has taught at Auckland's Unitec and the Auckland Studio Potter Society (Auckland Potters). His work has been exhibited throughout the country in major competitions and exhibitions where he has won several awards, and is represented in the Auckland Museum, James Wallace Trust, and regional collections. Brendan’s domestic ware is well recognised for its pacific colours, easy kiwi attitude, and inventiveness. See inside Brendan's studio >

Fine art woodturning by René Baxalle, Master wood turner and wood carver. Check out his intricately carved waka huia for sale (maori war canoe). Find affordable original art, wood carvers NZ, and contemporary NZ artists at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. René Baxalle Master Wood Turner René Baxalle is a fine art woodturner from Auckland. He is known for his intricately woven wood inlays, beautifully smooth wooden bowls nz and vessels, and the use of overlapping wood joinings in place of glue or synthetics. More > Extra Large Black Maire Bowl Price $950.00 Puriri Box with Woven Pohukutawa Lid Out of stock Shallow Rimmed Bowl Out of stock Black Maire Hollow Form Out of stock Pōhutukawa Vessel Out of stock Large Black Maire Bowl Out of stock Le Voyage de la Vie (The voyage of life) Out of stock Totara Hollow Form Out of stock Large Rimu Bowl Out of stock Tall rimu vase Out of stock Bio I have always been attracted to wood and have very fond memories of carving little figurines with my pocket knife when I was around 10. René Baxalle came to fine art woodturning when he was given a lathe in 2001. Previously, he had associated woodturning exclusively with furniture—banister, table legs. After joining a local woodturners club, he discovered the creative potential of the lathe. Early on, he started experimenting with woven wood inlays, liking the intricacy of weaving and the way each strand blends and connects with others to become one. To him, each strand can represent an experience in someone’s life, and the resulting woven form is the person’s mind or soul. René grew up on a farm in the southwest of France, in an area called Dordogne. He moved to New Zealand in 1991. He found the transition liberating, moving from a country steeped in tradition to a newer, younger country, more willing to embrace innovation and creativity. I didn’t choose woodwork as a career but instead opted for the electrical trade. This might be the reason I so love working with wood now. René describes staying at home to look after their two children as a turning point in his life. As he explains, spending time with young children can be a rich experience, a chance to see the world through different eyes. René does not use synthetic material and will not use glue if he can avoid it because, as he says, he want the different parts which form a piece to want to be together, not be forced. Another design he likes involves overlapping pieces of wood like the cladding of wooden houses or the sides of wooden clinker boats. This style, found in his waka huia (Māori war canoe), is similar to wood weaving, with all parts supporting each other to become one. René belongs to woodturning Auckland clubs and wood working nz societies. His work is held in private collections across New Zealand. He is available for commissions, including to create stands for other artworks (as in the example pictured).

Are you an art collector or thinking of starting an art collection? Our original art for sale (NZ) offers exceptional value from established New Zealand artists whose works represent competitive investment. All negotiations are arranged through private sale rather than art auctions NZ. Find affordable original art, contemporary NZ artists, and art for sale Auckland at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Home / Private Sale / Private Sale The artworks listed below constitute specially priced original New Zealand art for sale in our Takapuna gallery. They offer exceptional value from established New Zealand artists whose works represent competitive investment for art collectors. These artworks are sold on behalf of private collectors from across New Zealand, valued clients who have chosen us to help re-sell their prized items from their personal art collections. This page is regularly updated so please bookmark and sign up to our newsletter for latest available work. ! Terms & Conditions We are proudly committed to artist re-saleable rights and so a royalty from each art sale will be paid to the original artist of the work. Price indicated is final price and as such no further reductions are stated or offered. GST will be determined at point of sale. Please feel free to contact us directly for further information. Dove Girl by Jin Ling Onetangi - Waiheke (1996) by Russell Jackson Rita Angus by Terry Stringer

Our 2025 calendar of art exhibitions at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. We have a brand new art gallery exhibition every 4-6 weeks beginning with an exhibition opening and artist talk. 2025 Calendar At Art by the Sea, Takapuna, we have a brand new art gallery exhibition every 4-6 weeks, beginning with an exhibition opening and artist talk. Sign up to our newsletter for personal invitations to all upcoming events. JANUARY Tallulah Nunez FEBRUARY-MARCH Anna Korver APRIL Holly Haines MAY Paul Hooker JUNE Lyndy Wilson JULY Mark Dimock AUGUST Jules Kesby SEPTEMBER Graham Downs OCTOBER Christian Nicolson NOVEMBER Rosemary Eagles DECEMBER Christmas Show

Oil paintings for sale nz by Paula Brill, expressionist artist. Paula paints modern portraits in an expressionist art style. Find expressive portrait artists and emerging contemporary artists at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Paula Brill Modern Expressionist Artist Paula Brill is an emerging contemporary artist from Taupo. She enjoys exploring the “essence” of individuals in her modern portraits using an expressionist art form. More > New 2024 A Long Day Price $850.00 New 2024 Horizons 1 Price $1,000.00 Paint Pony Price $1,200.00 New 2024 Day Dreamer Price $1,000.00 A Bedroom Painting Out of stock New 2024 Pony Price $1,200.00 New 2024 Covid Price $1,000.00 New 2024 Horizons 11 Price $1,000.00 Bio Paula Brill is an emerging contemporary artist using a New Zealand expressionist art form. She works mainly in oil on canvas but enjoys playing with other mediums too. While she is particularly drawn to modern portraits and figurative work, she has been known to experiment with other subject matter. Thinking about her approach to art, Paula appreciates this quote from nationalgalleries.org: Expressionists searched inwards for deeper meaning. The style is defined by free brushwork, heightened colour and jagged or elongated forms. Paul is self-taught. She is inspired by individuality in people, and looks to discover/reveal that in her artwork. Paula is interested in exploring options for commissions.

New Zealand landscape photography prints for sale (NZ) by Michelle Durrant. Michelle's photographs capture breathtaking moments of majestic New Zealand scenery while out hiking. Find affordable art NZ, contemporary NZ artists, and NZ landscape art at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Michelle Durrant New Zealand Landscape Photographer Michelle Durrant is a fine art landscape photographer from Auckland, New Zealand. She is known for capturing stunning moments of light and colour in New Zealand’s majestic outdoor scenery. More > Follow the Leader Price $250.00 Carpet of Green Price $250.00 The Reward Price $250.00 Mackenzie Country Hay Bales Price $250.00 The Conversation - Blue Hour Price $250.00 Auckland City Blue Hour Price $250.00 Bio Photography is like a box of chocolates! Michelle Durrant's landscape photography draws us into New Zealand's majestic and captivating scenery. Michelle travels the length and breadth of New Zealand in search of the perfect light, atmosphere, and setting to capture the land she calls home. "Hiking back from shooting the Tasman Valley glaciers, I noticed this beautiful carpet of green. I love the textures of the moss and the detail of the worn pebbles." Michelle’s stunning photographic art evidences her passionate connection with Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), and the inherent beauty she finds in the small things. We see this in the detail captured in her photographs - the various colours of moss found on a walk up to Mt Cook, pools of light reflecting on a stony Auckland beach, or the glory of the Milky Way as a back drop for Gannet Rock at Auckland's Muriwai Beach on the west coast. A finalist in NZ’s Geographic Photographer of the Year Award (2017), Michelle’s professionalism and mastery of the camera and lens provide viewers with a different perspective of New Zealand's unique landscapes. Her NZ photography makes us want to visit the areas and soak in the atmosphere and experience the feelings that she has captured through the camera's lens.

Oil paintings for sale NZ by Rosemary Parcell, horse artist. Dressage and equestrian wall art showcasing the elegance of the horse in movement and choreography. Find contemporary NZ artists, horse paintings in oil, and contemporary animal artists at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Rosemary Parcell Horse Paintings in Oil Rosemary Parcell is an established New Zealand horse artist. Her equestrian and dressage horse paintings in oil demonstrate strong attention to detail and composition, while capturing the elegant movement of the horse in choreography. More > Absolutely Fabulous Price $5,000.00 Study after Stubbs Price $3,000.00 Travers Around Inside Leg, Soft Flexion Price $6,500.00 Grey into Pirouette, Out and Away Price $5,000.00 Grey Large Shoulder Implosion Out of stock Grey White in Corridor Price $5,000.00 Transition Piaffe to Passage Price $5,000.00 Three Movements Price $8,000.00 Drawing 3 Price $4,000.00 Tempi, Flying Changes - The Dancing Horse Price $5,250.00 Grey Passage Price $5,000.00 Bay Soft Flexion IV Out of stock Exhibitions Bio Rosemary Parcell is an established New Zealand artist from Tarras, Central Otago, now based in Auckland. Rosemary’s fine art background in still life and figure drawing coupled with her passion for horse riding has translated into a very contemporary version of the horse. While she has painted equestrian horses, Rosemary has a particular interest in the discipline of dressage. What I have always wanted to express in this imagery is the definition of the weight and mass of the horse, as well as the power and elegance in articulation. This is so clearly seen in dressage, itself an art form based on both physical and visual aesthetics. Dressage enhances the way a horse moves naturally, and at its best shows full harmony between horse and rider; horse and rider become a single entity. My intention is that my paintings should celebrate the athleticism and eloquence of this discipline, which demands a monumental approach, with simplicity and scale. Rosemary’s horse painting demonstrates her attention to structural detail and composition. At the same time, she is adept at translating the movement of the horse, especially in those paintings putting greater emphasis on the choreography of dressage. …the point is to catch the intrinsic quality of the movement… not always technically correct, and mostly not evident in photo records ...which is why it is better to watch and draw, better to remember and construct, rather than to copy minutely from photos, because this best expresses the way the horse actually goes. Rosemary deliberately paints little of the riders to ensure that the focus is on the horse. As she says herself, “…if the rider is very capable s/he becomes invisible, and the horse appears to go miraculously of its own volition without evident direction, and really the rider is identifiable by their hands and seat alone, their position… it is then possible to imagine the rider to be anyone, even one's own self.” Graduating with a degree from the University of Auckland’s Ilam Art School, Rosemary has painted and exhibited regularly since 1975. She has taught Art and Art History in secondary schools in Dunedin, Gisborne, Auckland, and Melbourne in Australia. Her paintings are in private collections across the country.

Retro interior art painting by Raymond Jennings, New Zealand artist and oil painter. Raymond's colourful paintings of NZ homes have a dynamic energy, offering inviting glimpses into indoor domestic spaces. Find NZ art and contemporary NZ artists at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Raymond Jennings Retro Interiors Oil Painter Raymond Jennings is an established fine artist and oil painter based in Hamilton, New Zealand. His lively retro interior art paintings offer inviting glimpses into New Zealand home and bach lifestyles, often with native bird and landscape scenes appearing through the windows. More > New 2024 Retro Interior - Dunedin Price $5,800.00 New 2024 Shelf Life with Tūī Price $4,900.00 New 2024 Tropical Interior Price $4,200.00 Bio Raymond Jennings is a New Zealand artist currently based in Hamilton. His colourful paintings of NZ house interiors offer us glimpses into New Zealand home and bach lifestyles with native bird life and NZ landscape scenes often appearing through the windows. His still life painting (or "shelf life") suggests warmly nostalgic domestic scenes. My paintings and drawings are a positive expression of our world in form and colour, motion and character, radiance, and depth, with the energies of universal inspiration. Raymond’s contemporary oil painting carries a dynamic energy. His virtuoso colour arrangements, light and dark contrast, and strong sense of form and movement combine to offer inviting and lively house interiors. In his work, there is adept attention to spatial dynamics and dimensions coupled with a sense of stylised homeliness. Each room is laid out to draw us in – indeed, we feel as if we could almost step into them. Born in New Zealand, Raymond has been an artist most of his life. He began painting and exhibiting at the age of twelve. Two years later, his work featured in a nationwide Society of Arts touring exhibition. He also painted a 20m mural inside Kamo High School library, Whangārei, and became a working member of the Northland Society of Arts at the age of fourteen. Raymond studied at Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, graduating in 1975. A theatrical childhood, with both parents acting and producing plays, my father also being an eccentric physics teacher, and a family friend being a prominent architect, all introduced me to creative expression. Then, being introduced to oil painting on canvas at age twelve, with exhibitions and sales of work soon after confirmed my direction as an artist. Raymond has exhibited in solo and group shows in New Zealand, the USA, and Singapore. He has been a finalist and prize winner in New Zealand arts competitions since 1977, including the Parklane Art Award and Auction (Auckland Museum), the James Wallace Art Awards (Auckland), the Duxton Art Awards (Wellington), the Molly Morpeth Canday Art Awards (Whakatāne), and the Waitakere Trust Art Awards (Auckland). He was a Parkin Drawing Award finalist in 2024 with his pen and ink drawing, Christo’s New York Studio – 1985. Raymond has completed many commissions for private and corporate clients and continues to be available for this work.

Abstract landscape art by Rosemary Eagles, New Zealand artist. Beautiful New Zealand nature painting (including mānuka trees), flower paintings, and flax painting. Find contemporary NZ artists and abstract art nz at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Rosemary Eagles NZ Abstract Nature Painting Rosemary Eagles is an abstract artist of native plants and NZ landscape paintings. From Auckland, and spending family holidays in the Coromandel, Rosemary is known for her paintings of layered earth strata, NZ countryside, flax and ferns, and mānuka trees against the sky. More > Creative Matters Podcast > New 2024 Spring Buds Out of stock New 2024 Weeping Magnolias Out of stock New 2024 Springtime Walking Price $1,950.00 New 2024 My Tree Out of stock New 2024 Dune Protection Out of stock Hydrangea Out of stock New 2024 Harakeke Pods Price $2,750.00 New 2024 Hydrangea (2024) Price $2,750.00 Unexpected Changes Price $2,750.00 Coastal Presence Out of stock Manuka Trees - West Coast Price $2,750.00 Distant Glow Price $3,200.00 West Coast Harakeke (LTD print) Price $1,050.00 Spring Buds (LTD print) Price $1,050.00 Dreaming of Summer (LTD print) Price $1,050.00 Obscurity Out of stock Koru Pounamu Price $7,200.00 Monstera Large as Life Price $3,300.00 Flying Past Price $2,200.00 Core Out of stock Earth's Forces Price $3,200.00 Exhibitions Bio How blessed are we to have the gift of living in Aotearoa. Rosemary Eagles is an established contemporary abstract artist known for her paintings capturing the natural beauty of this country's vibrant plant life and stunning land, sky, and coastal environments. Her abstract landscape art has been described by collectors as both “peaceful and serene, vibrant and unique, or reminiscent of places visited.” She is especially known for her eye-catching paintings of NZ mānuka trees. Standing open and exposed are the Manuka trees, creating a line against the horizon. They are strong, durable and resilient against the harsh elements that batter them. Native Manuka plants offer multiple benefits to both the environment and humanity. These Manuka trees are the original source for our precious Manuka honey, Manuka oil, as well as being perfect for ecological restoration. Rosemary’s paintings of NZ are marked by her unrestrained use of colour and texture, testifying to her skill as an artist, her knowledge of different unique natural environments, and her industry experience in interior design and textiles. After excelling in art at school, Rosemary completed an Interior Design Diploma at Whitecliffe School of Art and Design in 1991. In 1996, Rosemary travelled extensively through the Middle East where countries such as Syria and Morocco exposed her to a completely different cultural and colourful environment, compared to the lush, fertile greens of New Zealand’s North Island. She went on to work as a textile importer where her contact with American and Indian textiles and fabrics increased her awareness of different substrates and textures, and stimulated her to pursue an earlier passion for oil painting. Rosemary finds moments of inspiration during family trips and hikes around New Zealand, especially when holidaying in the Coromandel or on daytrips up to Tāwharanui beach and conservation reserve. Tāwharanui Regional Park is located on the eastern end of Tokatu Peninsula which extends into the Hauraki Gulf just north of Kawau Island. In my mind this has always been a place of incredible beauty where rolling land meets the sea, with stunning beaches in every direction. Our family treasures this sacred piece of land which is simply idyllic. Rosemary has had over 12 exhibitions at Art by the Sea. Her earlier, bold fruit and flower paintings gave way to earthy terrains and strata, moody skies, and evocative horizons. Today, we see a lighter, uplifting colour palette in her nature painting with spring flowers, native ferns and flax, mānuka trees lit by touches of gold, and skilled expressions of New Zealand’s atmospheric coastal landscapes. Listen to Rosemary talk about her work in this 2022 episode of the Creative Matters podcast .

NZ bird art and bird portrait painting by Craig Platt, wildlife artist. Craig paints New Zealand's iconic native bird species in incredible detail based on hours of observation to understand subtleties in each bird's behaviour. Find native nz tui art, wildlife art, oil paintings for sale, and contemporary animal artists at Art by the Sea Gallery, Takapuna. Craig Platt New Zealand Bird Artist Craig Platt is a contemporary wildlife artist, specialising in paintings of New Zealand native birds. Auckland-based, Craig’s realistic bird portrait painting and wildlife art result from hours of observation, demonstrating an almost uncanny understanding of bird life and habits in their natural environments. More > New 2025 Solo Tūī 2025 Price $5,500.00 New 2024 2 Tūī on NZ Flax Flower Out of stock New 2024 Kea in Flight Out of stock New 2024 A Wood Pigeon in a Nīkau Tree Out of stock New 2024 The Flight Price $12,000.00 New 2024 Kaka Portrait Price $2,600.00 New 2024 Pair of Kingfishers Price $2,800.00 NZ Kākāpō Out of stock New 2024 The Gathering Price $12,000.00 New 2024 Solo Tūī Out of stock Kaka - The Morning Caller Price $5,800.00 New 2024 A Pair of Tūī in a Pōhutukawa Tree Price $3,750.00 Kōkako - Māui's Water Bird Price $5,800.00 Tīeke (Saddleback) - Māui's Fire Bird Price $5,800.00 The Huia Price $8,800.00 Gulls at Waipu Out of stock Kārearea (NZ Falcon) 2018 Out of stock The Welcoming Out of stock Tuna's End Out of stock Exhibitions Bio Craig Platt is an Auckland-based contemporary New Zealand artist known for his incredibly realistic oil paintings of New Zealand native birds. Craig’s NZ bird art and his large wildlife landscapes are inspired less by photographs and more by observation and research. Influenced by his background in graphic design, Craig looks for colour and detail in his subjects, while also noting down unique subtleties in their behaviour. I have observed tūī in their natural environment for years. It’s their personality, they almost have an arrogance about them as if they know they have adjusted better than most other native birds to the urban environment. Travelling to remote locations around New Zealand, Craig will sit and study his subjects for hours. It is here, without distraction, that Craig gains insight into certain bird habits and their particular or unusual postures. Māori mythology and New Zealand history have also been influential in Craig’s NZ art, as he shares his learning about the role of our native birds in founding stories and in the sophisticated structure of Māori beliefs and customs. While he observes bird interaction in their natural habitats, Craig is also interested in the way birds engage with man-made objects in urban environments. This shed at Stanley Point wharf, Devonport is the most amazing colour, and the lighting effects the colour generates are beautiful. When the lighting is right on a clear, still day, the angles of the tin create rich dark and light hues of the base colour... I started reading the signage one day as I admired the lettering skills of a profession I was once involved in. The beautiful brush control on the serif font is a skill long-forgotten, and the aging of the sign and the rust creeping into the fixtures adds to the time and history of the shed. Also, the message the sign portrays—the choice of wording goes back to a time when certain language was acceptable… I wonder what the colour of the shed was back then. The modern sign has almost been produced to clash with maximum impact. So what is so dangerous that you can’t dive from this shed? …I have used two species of birds to almost thumb their noses at the authority behind the signage… The terns’ balletic skills, skimming the surface of the bay, and their precise diving skills are a majestic sight. The Kingfishers, ever vigilant, notice any movement in the tidal zone. They pounce on any unsuspecting crustacean moving from cover… Craig’s painting process always begins with sketching and a colour study, to see if all the elements he has in mind will work together. The blocking in of the composition begins with broad brush strokes to fill the canvas and create a base for the painting. The vision is then built up using finer and finer brushes to achieve high detail. By the end of the painting, Craig will be using a tiny brush (almost a pencil) to note fine detail on a blade of grass or the glint in a bird’s eye. Craig developed his understanding of colour and his skills in realism, precision, and detail during his 25-year career in graphic design, where he specialised in illustration and packaging. his passion for birds began at a much younger age when he raised and rescued nestlings; sparrows that had fallen from a nest, blackbirds, thrushes, and many other species spent time in his parents’ hot water cupboard. He moved on to raise and breed budgies for many years and began to draw birds as a child. Craig’s strong interest in New Zealand’s great outdoor spaces grew through his love of surfing, which took him all over the country. Today, his travelling and his love of birds are expressed through his art. Craig Platt has regular exhibitions at Art by the Sea Gallery. His work, particularly his tui painting, is held in private collections across the country.