A powerhouse of creativity, with a passion for the great outdoors, my carved works are often inspired by my time spent in nature. I intricately hand-carve images into layers of acrylic paint; a technique I created in 2003 while at Auckland University of Technology. I achieve my bespoke work by applying anywhere between 40-90 layers of acrylic paint to custom-made framed plywood boards before carving back through the layers, revealing the colours beneath. The results are detailed images rendered in negative relief that emphasise the texture and tonal variations between paint colours in a topographical manner. Amplifying the very nature I adore so much.

Technically, I’m a multidisciplinary artist, with a love of drawing, photography, etching, printing and more. However, I’m more well-known for my carved works. Having graduated from University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in printmaking, the paint carving discovery in my second year of study took me on this wonderful journey that I am still challenged by (in a good way), to this day. Hundreds of litres of paint later, I am still hooked.

In 2004, I was nominated for a Mazda Emerging Artist award; in 2009, I was a finalist in the World of Wearable Arts; and in 2012 I created an installation at the prestigious New Zealand Fashion Week. In 2014 I lived and created in Venice Beach, California for the ‘Kiwis in LA’ exhibition. I completed my dream show ‘WILD‘; eight impressive large-scale animal works exhibited in 2018. And now I’ve embarked on a new adventure in the South Island, carving from my beachside pad, a stones through away from ocean and mountains; my favourite place to be when I’m not carving.

Having completed 100’s of commissions over the last couple of decades, I took a break to dive back into some passion pieces and harvest my own ideas and experiments. I have thoroughly enjoyed pushing my own boundaries. Through this I have decided not take on any commissions and sink my teeth into the endless ideas that flourish from my heart. Multi-coloured and multi-paletted works have set in motion a new direction with my huge passion projects; a 3.6metre Whale carving and a 3.3metre Rhino in the pipeline! Watch this space!

I volunteered as an art teacher at Starship Hospital from 2010 – 2018 while I lived in Auckland and now enjoy teaching my own paint carving weekend workshops. I have crafted space for our family as I became a mum in January 2023 and I’m enjoying these young years before they fly by. 

Profile images taken by the talented Petra Mingneau.