I have considered myself to be an artist my whole life. It’s been an interest ever since I could hold a pencil at two and a half years old, when mum showed me how to draw circles.
Hi I’m Monique Rush, your local Whitianga artist and Gallery curator.
I was lucky enough to grow up before cell phones and the internet. So I spent my childhood outside in the bush and at the beach, always drawing things I saw and experienced, and making things from craft books. Having amazing art and photography teachers in high school furthered my skills and cemented my love of painting.
Inspiration is never a problem. In fact, I have more ideas than time! You only need to open your eyes and mind to what’s around in nature in our beautiful paradise to be inspired every day.
Photography is also a great tool to capture the scene for references to paint from.
Creativity is not a hobby, it’s a way of life. It enriches my days and makes me feel complete, happy and knowing anything is possible if I try.
Being a commission artist has made me versatile. Variety is the spice of life, so I have a few styles and many subjects I can paint. I specialise in acrylic painting of realistic-style birds, animals, classic cars, and anything nature and plant related. Kiwiana is what I call another style, with bold colours and outlines, NZ nature subjects, landscapes, under-sea life, Māori and Pasifika designs with flora and fauna themes.
I also love abstract art and create modern contemporary landscape designs, often combining styles together for more interest.
Opening Whitianga Art Gallery was a natural direction to take, especially important for our community, I felt. There are many local talented artists and I wanted them to have an inviting, positive space in town to showcase their art and have it on sale.
Visit my Facebook page here.
Great Art Monique