Behind the Brush: A Recap (Part 1)
After soaking up some summer sun, I’m back in the studio and ready to reflect on December’s Behind the Brush campaign. This 12-day series was all about digging into the stories and inspiration behind my paintings—and sharing some moments from the creative process along the way. If the holiday rush meant you missed it, don’t worry! Here’s a recap of Days 1 to 6 to bring you up to speed.
Day 1: Stay Awhile
The campaign began with Stay Awhile, a painting born out of a quiet pause during a day on the Routeburn Track. After a morning of hiking through incredible New Zealand bush, we reached the Routeburn Flats Hut, the perfect spot to pause for lunch. Surrounded by towering mountains and the valley floor stretching out below, everything felt… still. It was that kind of stillness that goes beyond quiet—it’s humbling, beautiful, and somehow fills you up.
“Stay Awhile” is more than a landscape; it’s a reminder to take in those rare, quiet moments that make us feel truly alive.
Day 2: Early One Sunday
On Day 2, we turned the spotlight on Early One Sunday, a painting that captures the stillness and magic of a quiet morning. There’s something special about those early hours when the world feels untouched and full of possibility. This piece is all about those peaceful moments we often overlook.
Day 3: Kawau Tikitiki (Spotted Shag)
Day 3 brought a pop of personality with the Kawau Tikitiki (spotted shag). During this year’s Bird of the Year competition, I found myself inspired by the diverse beauty of New Zealand’s native birds, each one with its own personality and charm.
I began by laying down a soft watercolour base to capture the gentle feel of the feathers, then added layers of chalk pastels and pencils to bring out the shag’s bold, quirky character. This bird has a style all its own—bold, striking, and full of personality.
Day 4: On the Water no.2
There are places in the world that leave you feeling small, and Milford Sound is one of them. Inspired by this breathtaking New Zealand landmark, my painting “On the Water No.2” was an exploration of scale—showing just how massive this place really is.
I started with acrylics to capture the soft, misty tones of the water and then layered in the bold, dramatic mountains that rise above. The tiny boat, almost lost in the vast landscape, was my way of showing just how dwarfed we are by nature.
This piece invites you to feel the enormity of the landscape, and I hope it brings a sense of that same awe and quiet reflection that I experienced.
Day 5: Bears & Fireflies
For Day 5, I shared B ears & Fireflies, one of my favorite whimsical creations. This piece, painted in 2020, captures a quiet moment under a night sky where a bear and its cub gaze at the gentle glow of fireflies. It’s their own version of stargazing, and to me, it feels like a sweet reminder of connection and wonder.
Using soft watercolors on Hahnemühle paper, I wanted this piece to feel gentle and almost dreamlike, bringing a sense of calm and curiosity to any space it’s in.
Day 6: A Peaceful Place
We wrapped up the first half of the campaign with A Peaceful Place - a painting that was a bit of a challenge, but ended up being one of my favorites of 2024.
It was a journey. There were many moments when the shapes didn’t feel right, and the colors didn’t work...and I was ready to find a bin to burn it in.
But after reworking it serveral times, I’m REALLY happy with how it turned out. I’m so glad I stuck with it because “A Peaceful Place” ended up being exactly what I wanted—a reminder that peace doesn’t always come easily, but it’s worth the journey.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into the stories behind Days 7 to 12. There are more paintings, more stories, and plenty of heart left to share. In the meantime, some of these pieces are still available on my website, ready to bring their unique magic into your space.