Rare as hens teeth

Actually this little chapie is perhaps even rarer than hens teeth!
The Scottish Pine marten, I discovered was rare back in the 40's
when I read 'Taka the Otter one popped up in the book briefly.
I just absolutely fell in love with the little chap
and he was soo calling out to be painted.
He sold pretty fast to someone obviously with my sentiments,
from the ATA gallery in Akaroa.

Er Well the previous exhibition didn't happen
because there was a dirty great big earthquake.
So whats a girl to do but paint!
The Huia painting 'Released Rairity '
was my way of riding aftershocks.
If you look closely you might be able to read the little poem I made up inscribed within the the gold ribbon.
This painting is currently hanging up at the Little River Gallery.

Released Rarity

‘There was a great cracking and shuddering and all of a sudden she came, out of the swirling mists of time released by the terrible rumbling, the colour of the very mist itself but for the fire glow upon cheeks and deep within her sharp eyes’.

This painting is of a prized albino Huia. The female Huia has a curved beak. I’ve imagined this Huia released by the Canterbury earthquake that occurred during the creation of this painting and inspired its development (after I’d tidied up the mess in my studio, created by the quake)

K.Perano September 2010

Next exhibition 'Inspired Links' to be in Christchurch

It's still all go here in my wee studio with another exhibition on the horizon,
hot on the heels of the current exhibition.
"whew"
Hey but it's all good stuff, hope to see you there.

'Show & Tell' exhibition

The current art works in the 'Show & Tell' exhibition at the Little River Gallery,

have been created to illustrate the treasures of our New Zealand wildlife & history.

They are also a commentary on the drastic loss of both, which are fading into obscurity, like an old portrait.

It has been said that “We ignore our past at our peril”

. And same goes for ignoring the fate of our wildlife.

I believe that if New Zealander's knew, that approx 80% of our wildlife (bird, fish, insect, sea mammal and so on) are either, Rare, Vulnerable or Endangered, they would be as shocked as I have been.

They would ask " how the hey, did that happen?"

So instead of getting all emotional about this, I'm trying to address this issue by using visual education, similar to what we've seen with the kiwi (who has some great publicists).

I want to help people to “get to know the 'natives”, (along with their various degrees of fragility.)

I confess that I'm also enjoying creating these personality portraits of creatures with a yarn to tell.

As a child I wanted to be a zoologist and I have a fascination for anything old especially with a story attached.

So I suppose it's natural that this mix has created the kind of work that's coming out of me now.

Much of our wildlife is in desperate need of publicity.

I can see that I will have many more characters to learn about, research & create and paint and print.

As I live on the Banks Peninsula I will continue to have good use for my grandfather’s binoculars.

Just a wee taste of what's to come

I thought I'd show you a wee snippit example of recent work
that'll be in the exhibition
at the awesome Little River Gallery
14th of August 2010.
Yeah I know it's a few months away yet, but hey I thought I'd 'blog' while the iron was hot.
Closer to the time I twil surely have turned into a very busy creature indeed.

"Good grief has it been that long!?"

I thought I'd introduce you to a portrait of two characters
that i throughtly enjoyed painting.

Tattooed cat

I wanted to introduce you this handsome chap
he is one of my latest prints and I do rather like him
and he has turned out attractively
(even if I do say so my self)

Acanthus joy

I've been sooo enjoying making this 'Acanthus' pattern and have many a plan for it . I do think it could drive me some what potty if used as a wallpaper though, perhaps it should come with a warning. I do love a bit of acanthus!

Calling all snorkel fans

I am pleased to announce that
Snorkel has a new home.
So for all those Snorkel fans
I thought I'd place some last photos of the wee lad in all his clothed wonder
farewell and enjoy your new abode young Snorkel from all of us who have been blessed by your character and company.

As seen on the 'World sweet world' add

This little flyin mouse chappy
was one of the
1st needle felted creations I ever did,
I plan to let loose
more of his relatives
so watch out!

He's in an assisted hovering formation over one of my cat prints.