Our Artists
Mindy Singh
My Punjabi ancestors were subsistence farmers, that prominent cycle of ploughing, sowing, nurturing, harvesting and preserving became a major part of my life and early upbringing in the Punjab. I watched females collect local clay, to hand-build open fire stoves and refresh mud floors, leaving behind exquisite handprints. This mixture of clay, straw and cow dung brings back vivid memories of my tiny handprints on our kitchen floor.
At an early age, I would create cups and saucers and sundry them. It would be several decades later when I visited the Waikato Society of Potters in 2017—clay soon became my creative engine.
Visit the studio of ceramic artist Mindy Singh. Set in the lush pastures of the Waikato. All vessels are created and fired on-site, using commercially manufactured stoneware and porcelain clay. You will find a utilitarian serviceable range of ceramics that enhance the pleasure of food and nourishment of the soul.
Bola Ceramics Studio – 180 Law Road, Whitikahu
@mkbola21
mkbola21@gmail.com
021 264 3021
Grant taylor
I create a wide of range products. Each item is original as the timber inspires me or allows the design by the size or grain of the timber. From practical to artistic items and for special occasions. I have been turning wood for approximately 19 years as a hobby. I am a member of the Waikato Guild of Woodcraft which has approximately 70 members.
Our member’s work can be viewed on our club website:
gctaylor@glenmarie.nz
027 492 9700
Sally-ann riddell
Visit the Green Meadows Art Studio and Garden of local artists Sally-Ann Riddell where her etchings, birdhouses, upcyled garden art and handbuilt ceramics are for sale.
A printmaker since 2008 with intaglio etchings as her main medium.
Studio and Garden open by appointment to groups.
Greenmeadows Art Studio – 185 Whitikahu Road
FB. Greenmeadows Art Studio
@sallyannriddell
rriddell@xtra.co.nz
022 107 7562
balsamic moon
Balsamic Moon is a labour of love created by Jessie Townsend. Established in 2018 in Morrinsville, Balsamic Moon was started by the discovery of a rare health condition. I was introduced to the endocrine system—a term I could hardly pronounce! The only way I could understand what was happening to me was by analyzing my enviroment & what I was putting onto my skin & into my body.
I found my coping mechanism in nature, as all medicine is derived from herbs & plants. This led me to create products for the body – eliminating all synthetic chemical compounds. I started by creating salves and balms for healing and nourishing the skin. This soon expanded into therapeutic Magnesium Butter, Body Butters & other personal care products.
All of which are available to you.
@balsamic.moon.trader
balsamic.moon.trader@gmail.com
gemma Reid
Printmaker and Illustrator
Gemma divides much of her time between printmaking and illustration. Her intaglio collagraph print works currently focus on capturing the beauty of Aotearoa’s historic architecture in the clear light that we are fortunate to experience living in this country. Each print work is part of a limited edition produced in her home studio.
With her illustration hat on, Gemma has developed a stationery brand “Little Twist of Lemon”. Using collaging techniques, vignettes of childhood are captured in a whimsical style. These illustrations are then applied to greeting cards, postcards, notelets and more. “Little Twist” continues to grow and Gemma loves constantly developing new ideas for her illustrations.
@gemmareidartist
gemmareidart@gmail.com
022 626 1792
connie van der walt
Connie has always had a passion for making things since his early years. He was introduced to woodturning in school growing up in South Africa in the late 1980s. And continued doing the odd turning now and then on a home-built lathe after school. It was always spindle turning and just part of furniture. It got more serious as years passed, although it was always a hobby.
After moving to New Zealand in 2019, Connie became more intrigued by the artistic aspect of turning and enjoys it more than ever, always seeking something new and different to challenge his skill set. Connie’s latest turnings are often decorated with pyrography and carving, but form and wood grain are always prominent.
@connievdwalt1
connievdwalt@gmail.com
021 524 006
Bernadette ballantyne
Bernadette Ballantyne is a professional soft pastel artist, specialising in realistic works that capture the beauty of the everyday. With a deep love for nature, she brings her works to life in rich detail, celebrating the fleeting moments of colour and light in the natural world.
Originally trained in fine art, Bernadette worked as a teacher before pursuing art full-time. Her attention to detail and light, invite viewers to pause and reconnect with the quiet wonder of nature.
fB. Bernadette Ballantyne Art
@bbartist_nz
info@bbart.co.nz
www.bbart.co.nz
karin barr
Originally from Germany, I moved to a farm in Tauhei 30 years ago. With a background in stone carving, I began exploring glass casting using the lost wax method at Art Station, Auckland, in 2008.
Three years ago, I joined a glassblowing mentoring program at Amokura Glass in Rotorua. By combining earlier skills with newly learned techniques, I have developed a fresh body of work.
During the Arts & Design Trail weekend, these new works will be exhibited for the first time at Mandarin Tree in Gordonton.
karin.barr66@gmail.com
jacquie haselden
Jacquie is a local in the Gordonton area with family connections to Woodlands Estate. Her painting career has spanned over 37 years with works displayed in NZ and overseas. Jacquie studied at Whitecliffe
College of Arts and Design and graduated with a Masters in Fine Art in 2008. These recent works reflect an interest in narrative connected to her ancestral place. The fine fabric like details in her paintings suggest stories from the past and present.
@jacquie.haselden.artist
jacquiehaselden@gmail.com
027 651 5375
Corneel van Blerk
Corneel’s inspiration comes from a deep longing to inspire & encourage others through the messages in her artworks. “An artwork created specifically to inspire or put courage into the viewer, has the power to change and enrich any atmosphere in a room!” Therefore, the themes of GRATITUDE, CONTENTMENT, GROWTH, FAITH, COURAGE, and RESILIENCE are always flowing through her artworks.
sonja Blom
I am an abstract artist specialising in abstract painting and hand-felted alpaca and silk scarves. My paintings explore movement , emotion, life and nature’s beauty through bold colours and rich textures. My work reflects my love for dynamic landscapes and expressive art.
027 555 7887
www.cornstonestud.co.nz
schatci designs
SCHATCI is a Waikato-based clothing brand specialising in lifestyle-inspired apperal. Launched in 2020, our misson is to create modern, minimal and classic clothing; pieces you can easily wear at home, head out for coffee, or hit the gym in.
Each garment is crafted from hand-drawn and cut patterns, following our unique oversized sizing chart. Our collection is designed to be gender-neutral, eliminating the need for “his and hers” distinctions.
We are committed to producing durable, high-quailty and timeless pieces, designed to be worn for years, not just a season. Avoiding mass production, we focus on limited-run designs, steering away from fast fashion and fleeting trends.
@schatci_nz
schatinz@gmail.com
Raewyn Fitch
I am a self-taught glass artist who developed a passion for glass fusing after retiring from full-time work around ten years ago. I was introduced to this art form during a weekend and have been hooked ever since. It brings me immense joy to combine colours and create beautiful items that are visually appealing.
I am always open to requests and am willing to customize pieces to match people’s colour choices whenever possible.
fitchraewyn@gmail.com
021 144 625
Renée Marjolein
Renée Marjolein’s hand cut and printed wood cuts evoke memories and capture a sense of place and stillness.
Renée works from her home studio near Ngāruawāhia, is represented by The Mandarin Tree Gallery and teaches a print class at the Waikato Society of Arts in Hamilton.
FB: Renee Marjolein
@Renee_Marjolein_printmakermaker.com
www.rmprintmaker.com
julie BUTTONS voss
Julie Buttons Voss is a mixed media artist whose work is rooted in environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Upcycling and sustainability are central to her creative process.
Julie skillfully blends textiles, photography, lino, and woodblock printing, often incorporating found and repurposed materials to give them new life.
The environment where I create plays a significant role in her artistic vision, inspiring her to create pieces that not only showcase the beauty of nature.
juliebuttonscreations@gmail.com
021 145 1663
www.juliebuttons.weebly.com
Deb wood
I am a mixed media artist working with resin, acrylic paints and anything that I can incorporate into my art from the natural world!
Most of my creations are practical including placemats, coasters, table centerpieces, serving platters and boards. This is sprinkled with wall art and jewelry made from recycled paint pours.
My favorite colors are blues and beach themes but I have been pushing myself to use all the other colors of the spectrum! A lot of my work is commission pieces for people, which is challenging and satisfying.
@quantockwood&resin
quantockwood.resin@gmail.com
Shirley creswel
“Our beautiful beaches inspire many of my paintings. To feel like you can walk into a painting, feel the sand, the light breeze and see the waves crashing in. I like to think that the painting is like looking out the window at somewhere you would love to be. It hopefully makes people remember special days they have had enjoying the beach with their families.
I adore old dinghies and I just love to imagine the adventures people have had in these beautiful boats. I attempt to make my paintings 3-dimensional so that you can feel like you want to climb inside the boat or stroll down the walkway”.
Shirley Cresswell is a fulltime artist based in Taupiri, She also spends much of her time in beautiful Matarangi gaining much inspiration for her always popular beach walkway paintings.
After an extensive career as a registered nurse Shirley had a passion to paint. With success in many exhibitions and galleries she went fulltime as an artist in 2012. Shirley is self-taught and has developed her own style and technique painting photo realism in acrylics and by applying paint in many layers she achieves a realist style that captures light in her work.
FB. ShirleyCresswellArtist
Michele grove
You will find Michele exhibiting at 552A Whitikahu Rd.
A Hamilton based Acrylic Artist who specializes in landscapes and abstract art. Michele uses vivid bright colours to help create her individual style.
027 483 0004
