You may know that about eight months ago we moved to Hawkes Bay, and to my husband's seaside 'hometown' (actually a village, not even a town!) of Te Awanga on the Cape Coast. Gosh. We've been coming here for years, since my husband's family still live here, but actually living here - breathing in the sea air, hearing the constant lapping or crashing of waves (depending on the weather), and being able to look out over the absolute vastness of the ocean itself...it does something to a wounded soul. For the first time in a very long time, I felt able to breathe. Like a huge weight had been thrown into that ocean and my worries had been swallowed up by the waves.

And the sun rises over this ocean. And so does the moon. And it's glorious.

It's also the very beach where my darling brother was married. Now that he is no longer with us, it's a very significant and special place for me, and as airy fairy as this may sound, I feel very connected to him as I gaze out over the horizon.

So it's no surprise that my painting has taken on a new sense of freedom and fluidity, and has indeed become very influenced by my surroundings. A quick glance at my own Instagram feed shows a real shift - from busy, colourful, eclectic and bold - to calm, white, natural, neutral, with hints of ocean blues and greens. Aqua, turquoise, teal and green....seem to be what makes my heart bounce these days. I even find myself within the home becoming more and more minimalist and pared back as I look to declutter and simplify, inside and out. Yes me! The avid collector/forager/curator! Don't get me wrong, I still love colour. I still love my 'things'. But I have a bit more of a considered approach to my home and style now. One that I feel works in nicely with the kind of lifestyle we seek.

I've always painted my interpretations of land, sea and sky, and have always been intrigued with the horizon line. But this year I've ditched the constraints of masking tape, sections and small brushes - and have brought out the big stuff. I've also changed up my mediums, which were solely acrylic and gesso previously, with added mixed media (flax, natural materials), and have added watercolour paint and a spray bottle. The freedom I have without the constraints of everything being 'sectioned' is amazing!

I do love the work I've done in the past, and am very proud to have had commissions that adorn the walls and tables of the likes of Sky City Hotel, Creative New Zealand, Hayley Westenra and some beautiful galleries within New Zealand. But I'm excited about what's to come.

And you know when you're finished a piece, you just know. I've been reworking this piece for weeks - on and off. Every day it changes, much like the seascape. I added the last brush stroke this morning and said yes. Done.

It's titled "Deep Breath".

Contact me with any enquiries.

Christall x

NEW YEAR, NEW VIEW....NEW WORK

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