prints

A kōwhai Christmas

This year’s Felt Christmas Gift Guide has caught everyone’s eye with its beautiful kōwhai and vibrant colours, and we have Whanganui-based artist and graphic designer Helene Hall to thank for it. The native foliage and New Zealand butterflies adorning the Gift Guide are Helene’s stunning handpainted illustrations, artfully arranged to complement the fabulous array of beautiful products by Kiwi makers that features in the collections.

Ōtautahi rising: the Christchurch designer celebrating her city

Christchurch-based graphic designer Donna Robertson is devoted to creating illustrations that grab people’s attention and hearts. She finds inspiration in her beloved city of Ōtautahi Christchurch, creating illustrations that celebrate city’s revitalisation. Her work has recently been recognised by the Christchurch City Council, who value her designs as as gifts for visiting dignitaries, and her beautiful designs also feature in this year’s Felt Christmas Gift Guide.

“My voice when I couldn’t use mine.” The spiracular art and visual language of Danilo R Reyes

Moving to New Zealand from Colombia at the age of 16, Danilo R Reyes couldn’t speak a word of English. Struggling to communicate with his peers through language, he found familiarity, communication, and connection in art, igniting a passion for drawing and printmaking. He draws inspiration for his mesmerising artworks from his experiences as a refugee, his culture, and Pre-Columbian art.

The feeling of a place: a love for the outdoors captured in print

Sally-Mae Hudson of Shapes by Sal is a self-taught linocut printmaker, discovering the art form nearly three years ago. Sally’s appreciation for the great outdoors and the natural environment underpins the majority of her work. Her work is as much about inspiring others to appreciate the natural world, as it is her own artistic expression. Sally currently works part-time for WAI Wanaka, an environmental organisation where she is part of a Jobs for Nature field team.

Flotsam, jetsam, and inspiration – a Wellington artist’s lockdown lifesaver

Wellington artist Rebecca A’court, of Little1Step, tells us “Success seemed to begin early for me at the tender age of five, when I won first prize at my school art show. Sadly ‘Cat Surrounded by Blotches’ was a high never to be repeated. But it marked the beginning to a lifelong enthusiasm for creating.” Now a mum to two kids, Rebecca keeps the creative flame burning with the help of the invention of school and locked doors. Currently she enjoys creating delightful and quirky paintings and enchanting miniature seaside scenes.

Creative gold: how Auckland designer Marigold Janezic found inspiration in collaboration

Marigold Janezic of Gold Creative is a South Islander born and raised, but has also lived in Western Samoa, Brazil and Ireland. After travelling and exploring, she returned home to Aotearoa to settle in Auckland near the beautiful Waitakere ranges. The beauty of the New Zealand bush and bird life are an ongoing inspiration for her – and she challenges herself to try and put her stamp on this popular design theme. For Marigold, the creative way to meet this challenge has been collaboration, and she has found a fruitful creative partnership with Ronja Schipper of Re:purpose. Together they produce the beautiful Birds of a Feather card range.