My Designs
Best Friends
This was originally painted as a workshop piece. I have since painted each bear separately, as have other folks. These bears make a cute top for Memory Boxes. This is one of my favorite bear pieces and you will see I have used it as my page header.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Family Photo
I painted this new design on a canvas for our local Playcentre as a raffle prize.
I love to paint bears and have been blessed to have permission from Monica Spicer, a teddy bear maker in Melbourne, Australia, to turn her beautiful, handmade bears into paintings which eventually become pattern packets.
One of the wonderful things about this design is that, although I have painted it as a large piece, it could also be divided into single bears depending on what you wanted to paint on.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
I love to paint bears and have been blessed to have permission from Monica Spicer, a teddy bear maker in Melbourne, Australia, to turn her beautiful, handmade bears into paintings which eventually become pattern packets.
One of the wonderful things about this design is that, although I have painted it as a large piece, it could also be divided into single bears depending on what you wanted to paint on.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Bear Trio
This 'bear trio' was painted as a series of canvas tote bags.
I enjoy to paint on the tote bags as the effect can become very soft even though I use Jo Sonja paints and Textile medium.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Each of these bears were also originally handmade by Monica in Melbourne, Australia I love their sad eyes and the whimsical looks this creates. I especially love the middle bear with his long fur. For the effect of the long fur I use a 20/0 brush, and each stroke is painted individually. Where some painters prefer to paint fur with a rake brush I prefer the finest brush as I can get more movement in the fur.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage |
Anna & Friend
One of my Bears, who found her way onto a folder cover. Again another of Monica's bears transformed into a painting.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Jeanie & Friend
This bear is one of my favourites. I have painted her onto canvas as seen here but have also painted her on small wood pieces successfully.
On larger pieces the detail of her dress comes through, making it look like old tapestry material.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Emily & Friend
This bear was painted for my beautiful grand-daughter, Emily and therefore I have named it 'Emily & friend'.
Like 'Sleepy Joe' this piece uses the background as the shading.
I especially enjoyed the challenge of painting the Broderie Anglais material for the dress and also the little bear that 'Emily' is holding. I remembered making a small bear once and tried to recreate the look of the material I had used.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Hobo Clown & Disney
This bear is one of a series of clown bears. I painted my old dog Disney into this picture in memory of his life; you could choose to paint a different dog onto the painting, or leave the dog out entirely.
The clown bears are a lot of fun to paint. I typically paint them onto canvas boards due to their size.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Sleepy Joe
'
Sleepy Joe' is a piece I designed in 2007. It is painted in the same style as 'Emily & Friend'. The background colour doubles as the shadow for the design items, helping to add coherence to the piece (and make it easier to paint!).
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Sleepy Joe' is a piece I designed in 2007. It is painted in the same style as 'Emily & Friend'. The background colour doubles as the shadow for the design items, helping to add coherence to the piece (and make it easier to paint!).
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Pastel Bear
This was my first attempt at painting a Bear using pastels.
I love the way pastels work and hope to use them more.
De Colores
Along with bears I enjoy to paint hens & roosters.
I find the colours and lines of these birds to be beautiful.
I painted this piece as a wedding gift and will put it into a pattern packet in 2012.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Bob's Paradise
Bob the Kea (a NZ native bird) surveys his paradise home, Milford Sound, on this decorative and functional cook book stand. I painted this piece for my son & DIL and it has special meaning for each of us from a wonderful trip to Milford Sound. The Kea, although being very destructive, is also very beautiful with his green plummage but his true beauty is revealed in flight with the most amazing red feathers under his wings.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Kia Kaha Plaque
'Kia Kaha' was designed as a gift for family friends who were returning to Switzerland. Our city of Christchurch has been through a lot in the past 18 months, and I wanted to paint them something as a good memory. The Red & Black is for Canterbury, the '4's' of things ie flaxes, rocks, waves, clouds, koru ferns are for the 4 family members and the Pukeko represents God as he is the only one in the picture and God is central in their lives. We will miss them dearly.
The wording is maori and 'kia kaha' means 'be strong' (this became a slogan for Christchurch after the earthquakes) and 'Me te Aroha nui atu o matou katoa' means 'with much love from us all'.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Pukeko Lazy Susan
I was asked to paint something with Pukeko (or Swamp Hens, for Australians) on it for a birthday gift .
Because I love to paint Lazy Susans I was delighted when Gracie agreed to the idea.
With the Lazy Susan being round it was fun to design something that could be both useful & decorative plus something unique.
The Pukeko are such fun to paint with their little white tail, their beautiful colouring, and their bright red beaks.
I tried to depict the areas that Pukeko are found: swamp, flaxes & ferns. I have stylized this design and used the koru design in it to continue the New Zealand theme.
Both Gracie & her sister (the recipient) were delighted with the outcome.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Pukeko Salt & Pepper Shakers
When I had nearly finished the Lazy Susan, Gracie called asking if I could also paint a pair of matching salt & pepper shakers to go with the Lazy Susan (above). Not a problem at all - another challenge, which I love.
I was really pleased with the final look of the salt & pepper set.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Pumpkins
While visiting my son in USA we went to a pumpkin farm boasting over 200 varieties of pumpkins. My camera at the ready, I snapped photos of many different pumpkins knowing they would end up in a painting someday.
In this piece the pumpkins seem to be falling out of an old wicker basket. The pumpkins were fun to paint with their different colours and shapes.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
New Zealand Flora & Fauna
This New Zealand Flora & Fauna phone book caddy was lots of fun to paint. Wanting to give my darling DIL, Teresa, something very NZ I collated designs from my wonderful friend, Joan Whale, who has printed 2 beautiful books that are NZ flora, fauna & birdlife. I added in the beautiful Romney sheep on this very practical piece.
(An adorable depiction of Noah's Ark by Betty Caithness was painted on the other side of this caddy and can be seen by visiting My Paintings.)
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Christmas Table Runner - Candle
I wanted to paint on RocLon fabric - a material used for window treatment in USA that my DIL sent me. Unsure of a topic I cut the large piece I had and found it didn't fray on the edge nor did it need binding. I decided to paint a table runner for the Christmas table with Christmas candles and some ivy. I am happy with the result.
Pattern Packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
Christmas Table Runner - Poinsettia
This is the second of my Table Runner designs that I have painted on RocLon fabric.
I wanted to continue the Christmas theme with candles, ornaments and of course, Poinsettia.
I am delighted with the result.
Pattern packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage
I wanted to continue the Christmas theme with candles, ornaments and of course, Poinsettia.
I am delighted with the result.
Pattern packet available upon request $15.00 (NZ) + postage