Kiwi Artist

Kiwi Paradise by Xanthe Wyse

It's December already. I haven't started any paintings yet this month. In this blog post, sharing the two paintings I did last month, with a little life update.

In November, I turned 52. I visited friends in Whakatane for a few days. The paintings 'Kiwi Paradise' and 'Kiwi Haven' are inspired by scenery in nearby Ohope, when pohutukawa trees are starting to bloom. I gave them 'kiwi' names as kiwi live in the local area, although they are rarely seen.

I've never seen a kiwi in the wild, although I have seen weka in this area. Weka are another brown, flightless bird. I have gone to listen to the kiwi call at night.

Some of my paintings are currently exhibited and for sale at HeartSpace Studio, Commerce St, Whakatane if you are in the area and would like to take a look. All for under NZ$200.

Kiwi Haven by Xanthe Wyse

I am currently flatting in Taupo and the property is terribly dusty, which is a challenge for painting. I decided to pull out a heap of weeds and I was quite dizzy doing this task, no doubt inhaling dust.

Then, I came down with flu-like symptoms including sore throat, swollen glands and more fatigue than usual. So it's amazing I managed to get any paintings done at all.

A month later, I'm still stuck with some respiratory issues, which doctors have put down to post-viral bronchial hyperreactivity. Mainly flares up when I go for a walk (which usually had no breathing issues) but it can even be triggered by wind. I start to cough hard and my chest area feels very constricted with shortness of breath. An inhaler is helping with this. I've had to use one before after bronchitis another time.

I'm probably taking longer to bounce back because of previous lung injuries including pneumonia, scars on my lungs (picked up when I had a scan for collapsed lungs). Not sure why I have scars on my lungs. I have never smoked, although I was exposed to secondhand smoke in childhood. Could be from the pneumonia when I had fluid on my lungs after accidently inhaling swimming pool water. I have also had occupational chemical exposure during my time as a laboratory technician.

One of the reasons I no longer paint with oils is the petroleum solvents (toxic to inhale plus absorb through skin).

I am still very fatigued but just resting and plodding along. My mood (bipolar disorder) has been 'stable' throughout all the extra health issues and further reduced capacity. I am also finishing therapy this week for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) this week. I still meet criteria for PTSD but it's more manageable now.

I have two more weeks of my part-time merchandising job before the company closes over the Christmas and New Year period. So, more time to rest up.

I've met my goal of at least one painting per month this past year. My book writing project has been mostly sidelined although I hope to develop some consistency about it, like I have managed to do with painting. Previously, painting was consistency inconsistent too.

Sometimes, I complete two paintings in a month. This is actually easier for me if I choose a shared palette and paint both at the same time, back and forth, each painting session, even if some of the colour mixes are quite different. The paintings in this blog post are inspired by views from the same lookout, so have mostly similar colours.

I am now aiming to paint consistently at least two paintings per month. Especially as I have opportunity to exhibit them locally.

I am currently compiling a folder of reference pics from my own photos for potential paintings. It's a low-key activity that doesn't require too much energy. Plus, reassurance that I can have a back up of some favourites, in case my laptop karks it.

Well, that was more than I expected to write.

Fine art prints of 'Kiwi Haven' are available to purchase. Each print is printed by a specialist printer as ordered, so there's no dust etc. Also, with pigmented inks, not the regular home dye inks.

'Kiwi Haven' fine art print

NZ$35.00 - NZ$75.00

Shop