It’s no secret that art can make one of the biggest differences in bringing an interior space together and making it your own. Whether it’s pieces with sentimental value, family photos or a stunning painting from a gallery, art can really help bring life and personality to a room, as well as assist you in defining a colour palette!

We’re very lucky to have several artists in the family, providing awesome works for our walls, however I’ve always got my eyes peeled for new local artists to support. With my daughter Bella being involved in the Wellington exhibition scene, I’ve been exposed to so many unique and incredible creatives in Aotearoa.

Here are a few of my absolute favourite local artists…

Tanya Blong

I first discovered Tanya’s work at The NZ Art Show and fell in love instantly! Her use of bold colours and subject matter that reminds me of holidays spent by the pool really spoke to me. We’ve since discovered that we even have a family connection…such a small world! I’m yet to own one of Tanya’s pieces myself, but I always appreciate seeing her work pop up on my Instagram feed.

See Tanya’s work here.

Billie Culy

Bella and I have always admired Billie Culy’s aesthetically pleasing work, with dreamy colour palettes and still life scenes. Billie has such an eye for colour and I’d love to have one of her beautiful photographs hanging on my wall someday!

See Billie’s work here.

Jane Blackmore

Jane is an iconic Wellington artist, working from Lyall Bay, her work has a very moody feel, often focusing on stormy seas and landscapes. I’ve always loved Jane’s work and it has often reminded me of days spent living along the South Coast of Wellington, watching the storm clouds roll in over the ocean.

See Jane’s work here.

Rosie Ralph

Another artist that I first spotted at The NZ Art Show, Rosie Ralph has such a unique style. I love the abstract look of her pieces, the shapes leaving plenty up for interpretation and her use of colour always catches my eye. Rosie’s gorgeous framed pieces would be the perfect work to build a colour palette around in your own space!

See Rosie’s work here.

Here are a few of my favourite artworks by local artists hanging on our own walls at home…

‘Lake St Bathans’ - Bruce Foster

I am so incredibly lucky to have two wonderful artists in my family, with my father and daughter both so incredibly talented and generous with their work. As with all children, I don’t have any “favourites” amongst my art collection of Bruce Foster and Bella Foster-Lowe work, because I have unique connections with all of them. However, the St Bathans Lake picture by my father certainly has some very special memories. As the scene of a family famous paranormal experience, St Bathans in Central Otago and it’s mesmerising Blue Lake is an almost surreal corner of the world. If you haven’t been, you should! This small image with its deep and alluring colours hangs in our dining room and I can often find myself gazing at it. Mesmerising like its subject matter.

See Bruce’s work here.

‘Rain In Palm Springs’ - Bella Foster-Lowe

One of my family’s favourite spots to visit is Palm Springs. For its architecture, vintage shops, desert heat and decidedly retro vibes it’s just one of those places that speaks to all of us. Bella has taken an almost annual pilgrimage to Palm Spring for her photographic work and inspiration for her paintings. Many of her photographic series came from time in the Desert soaking up the mid-century aesthetic and putting her own wonderful Bella twist on things. Rain in Palm Springs captures PS for me so well. The smell of rain hitting hot pavements on a 45degree day, with dusty landscapes and hairdryer hot winds is very distinctive, and the colours in this picture conjure up the area so beautifully (as well as working incredibly well in their Wellington space).

See Bella’s work here.

‘Man/Child’ - Michael Hawkins

I bought this Michael Hawkins piece, Man/Child, at NZ Art Show as a surprise birthday present for Jason. Don’t you just love those gifts where the giver gets as much enjoyment as the receiver? I never get tired of looking at this amazingly intricate and detailed piece and there are often new things to discover amongst the curated chaos. Needless to say, Jason was rapt with his birthday present and we have all thoroughly enjoyed having this special piece hang on our living room wall.

See Michael’s work here.

Anji’s Picks: Local Artists