Hi, I'm Keryn, an artist based in Auckland. A few years ago, straight out of school I attended University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts for one year before transferring to what I thought would be a "more practical and useful' academic degree (which I have found very little use for since!)

Creativity and self-expression have always been daily companions for me. Today I draw, paint and share my work on Facebook under the name Keryn Creates.

During 2020 I started drawing NZ’s tūī as a way to feel close to my late father. Whenever I see a tui, I’m reminded of dad, and so I started drawing them. So far, I haven’t stopped! Since then my work has featured many endemic and native birds and through sharing my work I've heard similar stories from many people for whom birds hold a special place in their hearts. I'm also very drawn to landscapes and inspired by the colours of the ocean, sky and the land. Rangitoto, the maunga I've never lived far from, features a lot in my work. Auckland is sometimes underrated but it's a very beautiful place, and I hope to show that in my art!

My drawings and paintings are brought to life in the multi-purpose spare room of my home, where a sign proclaims from the entrance “I’m creative – you can’t expect me to be tidy too!” With music on and the sounds of my children often in the background, I shut myself away and dive into art as a means of self-expression and self-care.

I believe art is more necessary than ever in today’s fast-paced world and love how it can convey emotion, evoke memory, and speak without words.

You can find more of my creations at facebook.com/keryncreates