Art, nature, and exploration in Tairua
Hello! My studio/gallery is in beautiful Tairua. I create original artworks, merchandise, and hold art workshops and art retreats here in my studio.
I had a deeply spiritual, multi-cultural upbringing, surrounded by books, art, craft, theatre and music. I studied art right through school, winning many awards … but the true rewards were never in the certificates or trophies. My connection to my fellow humans through my creative gift is what really inspired me to create and, therefore, thrive.
Right from the start, I knew I wanted my art to uplift and inspire. I just wanted to create ‘beautiful colourful things that made people feel good’. My art comes from a place deep within. I’m drawn to painting themes strongly inspired by different cultures, along with sun, surf, nature and strong ‘ocean’ themes. My work varies – sometimes mixed media, ink, sometimes acrylic. I like to experiment with no rules or limits. I’m not interested in what is ‘accepted’ in the art world. I’m interested in walking my own path, all whilst staying open and vulnerable, knowing that this is an ever changing, growing, evolving experience every single day. My art is constantly evolving along with my own growth; I am forever stretching my wings, taking risks and trying new themes and techniques.
I have explored many different themes in my art journey, and I find that about a year is plenty for one focus and I need a change. Last year the call of the ‘inner goddess’ took me down a path of the ‘feminine’, symbolically incorporating intuitive marks, nature, animals and symbols to infuse the energy of what I am trying to convey. I use my intuition to create with very little pre-planning. Inspiration is all around me. This year I’m revisiting my beloved ocean themes with new and fresh eyes /intuition.
I love painting ‘big’ and have had many commissions for huge murals both for domestic and commercial areas. I also license my images and recently had Stabicraft boats wrap their ‘show piece’ boat for the latest NZ Boat Show in my ‘Seabed’ image. Very exciting!
Art Workshops & Retreats:
Because I am not an ‘insular’ artist, connection with people is just as inspiring and important to me as creating, so about 5 years ago I hosted my first art workshop here in my studio in Tairua. Since then, I have regularly welcomed many guests, including those with absolutely no creative experience, as well as many seasoned artists wanting a ‘kick start’. A lot of people come from out of town; luckily, we have a cute little semi self-contained guest house on site where my guests can stay.
Our property is only 250 m from the north end of Tairua Beach, so it’s ideal not only for creative exploration, but also to be immersed in nature.
I like my workshops and retreats to be explorative, relaxed and fun, so I create a bespoke experience individual to each person/group. I also only take a maximum of 3 people at a time, so it’s very personal and everyone gets what they need. (See my 5 star google reviews!)
We use a huge variety of tools and mediums, including acrylic inks, acrylic, markers, pastels, spray paints, stencils and collage. No two artworks are the same, we do not mass produce one image. Instead, I demo my processes and techniques, and each person then takes that and makes it their own. The process is about ‘go with the flow’; it’s organic and free, and no set rules apply. I encourage play and exploration, curiosity and a total letting go of any result-driven expectation. So, one person’s experience will be completely different from another’s, and that is the whole point of this creative process … and life!
In other news, I will be hosting an art retreat in Italy in 2025!
Apart from creating new artworks, I also spend some time on Instagram and FB
where I can interact with people and other artists more easily … I love meeting new people. If you would like to connect with me there, find my socials at:
‘Reina Cottier Art’
My website/blog for more info on Retreats, Workshops, my Online Shop (and more) is: www.reinacottier.com
M: 021903103
My Studio/Gallery is open by appointment.
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