Kia ora!  

My name is Te Manaia and i am an artist from New Zealand. I am mixed media artist and paint with acrylic, watercolour and oils. My favourite medium at the moment is oils but i have also been experimenting with resin as well lately.   

I usually love painting with alot of colour. I like the way colours can transport you to another world. I also love painting woman with animals within abstract natural or dream like landscapes. I often wonder why i am drawn to these subject matters and i think its because it creates such a magical feeling, like anything is possible. I love to inspire people. And i hope these pieces hold a little bit of inspiration for you.   I am inspired by life, and beautiful things, nature, people, my life experiences. To many things to name. I am inspired by everything! But most of all i am inspired to just create.

 I actually pursued a bachelors in health science in psychology before i decided i wanted to dedicate myself more to art. I had a calling in mental health and especially helping our Rangatahi in Aotearoa, New Zealand and i was also curious about the mind, what makes us the way we are. I worked in this space for just over the year, and although i loved it, the calling to paint never left my heart. 

Painting gives me a joy that i cant find anywhere else in the world. I have been making art my whole life, it started off as drawing and has naturally led me to painting. I am so grateful for the ability to create, i believe it is a gift from god that we have the ability to create, to make something beautiful out of a blank canvas. I am here to make art for others.   

One of my dreams has always been to share my art with as many people as possible, and the opportunity to exhibit in any capacity helps me realize that dream and i am forever grateful.  The most beautiful thing about art is how once i let it out into the world, it's no longer mine. But it's yours, to have and hold and experience. I hope your experience brings you something good, maybe a sense of inspiration, joy or passion. Whatever it is, it's yours now.