top of page
Artisans
Gracie Matthews
Design, Make Create
Gracie is one of our fabulous tutors. Initially trained in Fashion Technology, Gracie has put those skills towards a successful career making theatre costumes. She has years of experience sewing all sorts of fabrics for various shows and events and is now excited to help the next generation get confident behind a sewing machine while keeping textile waste out of landfill.
Gracie is one of our fabulous tutors. Initially trained in Fashion Technology, Gracie has put those skills towards a successful career making theatre costumes. She has years of experience sewing all sorts of fabrics for various shows and events and is now excited to help the next generation get confident behind a sewing machine while keeping textile waste out of landfill.
Kate Winchester
Online Coach and Therapist
My love of all things arty must have come from my Dad! He trained in fine art, and my brother and I grew up with him teaching art or doing art! I went on to study art and art history at school, and later at University. It went on the back burner soon after, as I started to travel and then trained in the UK as a primary school teacher. It was during my teacher training in Cheltenham, that I attended an art therapy workshop. I was fascinated, and the seeds of one day developing my own style of art therapy were sown! I went on to conduct several workshops over the years, and it never fails to bring me joy seeing how people respond!
I went on to train in psychology and behaviour analysis, and practised as a psychologist for a number of years, gaining my behaviour analyst certification in 2017 (BCBA). During my many varied positions in education, I became very aware of the profound impact early art experiences have on our children and young people. This, in turn, impacts on our beliefs about ourselves well into adulthood. In my workshop I focus on fostering creative opportunities and experiences, allowing art and ideas to flow. There are no rules, and no assessments or expected outcomes of a finished product!
In my coaching business I encourage my clients to explore their creativity on their terms too; finding joy in being curious about what is possible when they let go of limiting beliefs about their life. My approach is collaborative; we work together as a team to uncover what matters to my clients, exploring their true potential. It’s all about reminding ourselves who we really are underneath the imposed expectations and beliefs. By taking simple aligned actions it is possible to live the life that we dream about – just let go!
I went on to train in psychology and behaviour analysis, and practised as a psychologist for a number of years, gaining my behaviour analyst certification in 2017 (BCBA). During my many varied positions in education, I became very aware of the profound impact early art experiences have on our children and young people. This, in turn, impacts on our beliefs about ourselves well into adulthood. In my workshop I focus on fostering creative opportunities and experiences, allowing art and ideas to flow. There are no rules, and no assessments or expected outcomes of a finished product!
In my coaching business I encourage my clients to explore their creativity on their terms too; finding joy in being curious about what is possible when they let go of limiting beliefs about their life. My approach is collaborative; we work together as a team to uncover what matters to my clients, exploring their true potential. It’s all about reminding ourselves who we really are underneath the imposed expectations and beliefs. By taking simple aligned actions it is possible to live the life that we dream about – just let go!
Rakel Illustration and Design
Rakel has always had a passion for drawing. Growing up in Maraetai she was always drawing, especially horses! Ever since she can remember she had this fascination with being able to draw them hyper realistic.
Rakel still has horses and still absolutely loves drawing them!
RakeI built her business up alongside raising 3 children in Beachlands. Now the children have grown she is creating full time and loving it!
Rakel is mostly busy drawing animals & people by commission in her home based studio in Clevedon. She uses watercolour, coloured pencil & pastel mostly. She is open to taking on graphic design projects and illustration commissions.
Rakel still has horses and still absolutely loves drawing them!
RakeI built her business up alongside raising 3 children in Beachlands. Now the children have grown she is creating full time and loving it!
Rakel is mostly busy drawing animals & people by commission in her home based studio in Clevedon. She uses watercolour, coloured pencil & pastel mostly. She is open to taking on graphic design projects and illustration commissions.
Manya Irons Venter
Artist & Tutor
Manya live locally in Beachlands. She has been teaching art lessons to ladies and children for about three years after moving here. Manya is originally from South Africa and studied art and education in her early years. She taught art to high school students and also created art in her spare time. Murals, graphic designing and art commissions. Manya loves painting with acrylics. Bright colours and textures are in most of her artwork. She is currently experimenting with loose brush strokes and moody soft backgrounds. Art has always been a part of her life.
Manya live locally in Beachlands. She has been teaching art lessons to ladies and children for about three years after moving here. Manya is originally from South Africa and studied art and education in her early years. She taught art to high school students and also created art in her spare time. Murals, graphic designing and art commissions. Manya loves painting with acrylics. Bright colours and textures are in most of her artwork. She is currently experimenting with loose brush strokes and moody soft backgrounds. Art has always been a part of her life.
Carolyn Watts
Artist, Illustrator & Author
I made my first steps, into the “serious” world of art, under the guidance of Robert Campion, a brilliant and well-known Devonport Artist. There were many fun and fabulous years of laughter and learning before a move to the Bay of Plenty gave me the opportunity to venture out on my own. Running the Katikati Art Group with its sixty members, and the Katikati Art Gallery for 3 years inspired me to include opening my own gallery to my bucket list.
A move back to my Auckland roots has enabled the opportunity to open Gallery61.
Opening my studio/gallery just prior to the Auckland lockdowns wasn't the best of timing, however it gave me freedom to work on my children's picture book,
'Tilly Meets a Stranger'.
My painting style is contemporary/realism. I enjoy the deep richness achieved through working in oils though I sometimes use ink as well, particularly in my smaller bird paintings.
Even the artwork for 'Tilly' was in oils.
I sell my work through Gallery61, Green Gables Gallery in Howick, retail shops and exhibitions.
My art, (and books), have found homes throughout New Zealand and Australia as well as in Singapore, Germany, Norway and the UK.
I made my first steps, into the “serious” world of art, under the guidance of Robert Campion, a brilliant and well-known Devonport Artist. There were many fun and fabulous years of laughter and learning before a move to the Bay of Plenty gave me the opportunity to venture out on my own. Running the Katikati Art Group with its sixty members, and the Katikati Art Gallery for 3 years inspired me to include opening my own gallery to my bucket list.
A move back to my Auckland roots has enabled the opportunity to open Gallery61.
Opening my studio/gallery just prior to the Auckland lockdowns wasn't the best of timing, however it gave me freedom to work on my children's picture book,
'Tilly Meets a Stranger'.
My painting style is contemporary/realism. I enjoy the deep richness achieved through working in oils though I sometimes use ink as well, particularly in my smaller bird paintings.
Even the artwork for 'Tilly' was in oils.
I sell my work through Gallery61, Green Gables Gallery in Howick, retail shops and exhibitions.
My art, (and books), have found homes throughout New Zealand and Australia as well as in Singapore, Germany, Norway and the UK.
Jess Sweden (TableFlower)
Florist
Jess specialises in creating inspired luxury floral designs for weddings and events. With a background in the creative and performance industry, Jess loves telling stories through her designs by adding personal touches and seasonal elements that can both trigger memories and create new impressions. Inspired by the simple elegance of flowers, and the uniqueness of nature, she creates elegant garden style arrangements, filled with the freshest blooms available and tailored to reflect our couples needs.
Jess specialises in creating inspired luxury floral designs for weddings and events. With a background in the creative and performance industry, Jess loves telling stories through her designs by adding personal touches and seasonal elements that can both trigger memories and create new impressions. Inspired by the simple elegance of flowers, and the uniqueness of nature, she creates elegant garden style arrangements, filled with the freshest blooms available and tailored to reflect our couples needs.
Danielle Fernandez
Mosaic Artist
Danielle Fernandez is the previous owner/artist of the USA gallery Mainly Mosaics in Richmond, Virginia and published author of “Brilliant Stained Glass Mosaics”.
In Virginia Danielle worked primarily on private commissions for mosaic interior design in residents homes such as splash backs, dining room tables, showers, tubs, fire place resurfacing, interior windows, floors, patios etc.
Danielle moved to New Zealand nine years ago and settled in the coastal village of Maraetai New Zealand where she runs her business from her home studio and additionally teaches classes.
Currently Danielle is creating mosaic pop art 3 dimensional sculptures on cement and terracotta pots out of tile and sometimes tile/glass combinations, that can be displayed either indoor or outdoor.
She’s additionally working on stained glass mosaic interior/exterior lighting and stained glass mosaic windows.
She accepts commissions and welcomes the opportunity to create something beautiful for your home.
Danielle Fernandez is the previous owner/artist of the USA gallery Mainly Mosaics in Richmond, Virginia and published author of “Brilliant Stained Glass Mosaics”.
In Virginia Danielle worked primarily on private commissions for mosaic interior design in residents homes such as splash backs, dining room tables, showers, tubs, fire place resurfacing, interior windows, floors, patios etc.
Danielle moved to New Zealand nine years ago and settled in the coastal village of Maraetai New Zealand where she runs her business from her home studio and additionally teaches classes.
Currently Danielle is creating mosaic pop art 3 dimensional sculptures on cement and terracotta pots out of tile and sometimes tile/glass combinations, that can be displayed either indoor or outdoor.
She’s additionally working on stained glass mosaic interior/exterior lighting and stained glass mosaic windows.
She accepts commissions and welcomes the opportunity to create something beautiful for your home.
Sharon Pearce
Acrylic and Oil
Hi, I’m Sharon Pearce, living in Maraetai, Auckland. I paint in Acrylic and Oil, focusing on Landscapes and Seascapes.
I have always had a passion for art so when I retired in 2018 I began my journey to learn to paint (I needed something to occupy my days).
Living by the beach gives me endless painting opportunities and I try to capture the beauty that nature provides.
I love to walk along our shores and feel the sun on my face and just marvel at how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.
Hi, I’m Sharon Pearce, living in Maraetai, Auckland. I paint in Acrylic and Oil, focusing on Landscapes and Seascapes.
I have always had a passion for art so when I retired in 2018 I began my journey to learn to paint (I needed something to occupy my days).
Living by the beach gives me endless painting opportunities and I try to capture the beauty that nature provides.
I love to walk along our shores and feel the sun on my face and just marvel at how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.
Samantha Sutherland
Crafts & Textile Art
Samantha is a textile artist turning fabric scraps into vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations inspired by nature, positivity, and life on New Zealand’s stunning Pohutukawa Coast. From whimsical native birds to colorful landscapes and uplifting quotes, every piece she makes is stitched with love, creativity, and a story to tell. Dive in and explore her world of texture and colour!
Samantha is a textile artist turning fabric scraps into vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations inspired by nature, positivity, and life on New Zealand’s stunning Pohutukawa Coast. From whimsical native birds to colorful landscapes and uplifting quotes, every piece she makes is stitched with love, creativity, and a story to tell. Dive in and explore her world of texture and colour!
Lara Sutherland
HipHop & Kpop Dance
Loretta Arthur
Artist
bottom of page