Frequently Asked Questions
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Xanthe answers your expected questions in advance:
Q: Do you have original paintings for sale? A: Yes, I have originals available to purchase (within New Zealand only). Copyright of art is retained by the artist, even after an original is sold. Q: How do I place an order? A: Enquire via the contact form Customers in New Zealand have the option of payment via bank transfer or PayPal. International customers via PayPal. You do not require a PayPal account. |
Summer Splash
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Q: Do you ship outside New Zealand?
A: Yes but only prints A4 size and smaller. No originals.
Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: For art prints:
Within New Zealand = NZ$12 per order.
Australia = NZ$25 per order.
International.
A: For originals:
NZ $15 towards the cost of packaging and courier, as a guide.
Q: Which countries do you ship to?
A: As a guide, small prints A4 and under can be shipped to countries where PayPal is available and most places internationally (including Australia, USA, UK, Canada). I can confirm if you wish to make an order. Enquire with contact form.
Taxes are not included in the price.
Q: Do your prices include GST?
A: I am a sole trader with a hobby art business and I do not currently need to be registered for GST, so the prices listed are what is paid (plus shipping).
Q: How long will it take to get my print?
A: I will place an order with my print supplier as soon as funds are transferred.
Your print will arrive within a week within New Zealand. Longer for overseas.
Q: Do you print and package the art prints yourself?
A: No, I have a speciality, premium art printer take care of this, as it requires special equipment (more sophisticated than a standard CMYK printer). Art prints are shipped directly from my chosen fine art printing service, so there is no double-shipping.
Q: What if my art print gets lost or damaged in transit?
A: I will replace any art prints that get lost or damaged while in transit, so that you get your art print. The same with any prints that arrive with defects (please contact me with contact form ASAP as I will need a photo to be emailed).
Q: How do I care for my art print?
A: Your art print is archival quality with pigment-based inks . This means it will have superior quality and longevity than regular prints done with dye-based inks. To retain the vibrancy in your print, keep away from moisture and do not display in direct sunlight. A print behind glass will last longer than a print exposed to the open air. A fine art print can be treated with the same care as one would care for a watercolour painting.
Professional framers recommend that a mat or spacers are used to keep the glass from touching the art print.
Q: Do you do commissions?
A: Yes, I occasionally take commissions for pet portraits. Within New Zealand only. 50% deposit is required when accepting a commission . Enquire with the contact form.
Q: Are you a self-taught artist?
A: I did School Certificate art way back in 1988. I have since had tuition from professional artists over many years (including with watercolours, oils, acrylics) but most of my artistic development has been experimental. In the past decade, I have developed my skills specialising with artist-grade acylics.
Q: Do you hold exhibitions?
A: I have had two solo exhibitions as part of a mental health project. More recently, I've taken part in group exhibitions.
Q: What do you paint with and on?
A: After experimentation and practice, I prefer to paint with artist-grade acrylics, usually on stretched canvas. Canvas holds up well to multiple layers of paint which I typically apply.
Q: What is your painting style?
A: I will let the images of my art speak for themselves but others have described my art as having energy and movement. I like vibrant colour, even though I've learned to (mostly) tame this a little. From my perspective, I paint metaphor and symbolism. Sometimes, I paint more detailed subjects with emphasis on perspective.
I often take inspiration from nature, especially birds and New Zealand scenery. I have expertise with colour, choosing a different palette for each painting. Exploring colour keeps painting fresh and exciting for me.
Q: Are your artworks originals?
A: Yes, my artworks are originals, painted by hand with real paint and brushes (not AI generated). The fine art prints are quality reproductions of original physical paintings, from a high-resolution photograph. I have a huge collection of my own photographs for reference pics if I need inspiration. This avoids copyright issues with other photographers and artists.
Any reference pics from others have been used with permission. I don't attempt to copy photos exactly.
Q: Do you have an art studio?
A: My 'art studio' for the past decade has been my cramped rented bedroom. Hence, I usually paint in smaller to medium sizes, currently. Usually approximately A4 to A3 sizes.
Q: Do you have limited edition prints?
A: No, as I don't have space to store prints. Each print is printed as ordered. The range is updated from time to time, to reflect my current work.
Q: What are giclee prints?
A: Fine art giclee prints are high-end photographic and print reproductions with large-format wide colour-gamut pigment-based ink-jet printers. A combination of 12 different ink colours can reproduce millions of colours (unattainable by home CMYK printers). With almost as many colours and detail as high end digital cameras can capture.
Using pigment-based inks (rather than dye-based inks) giclee print is achival quality and can last a lifetime (depending on storage/display conditions and paper used).
Q: Do you offer art tuition?
A: At this stage, I don't offer private or small group tuition (mainly due to lack of space and needing to conserve my energy levels). I do have some free demonstrations on my channel Soar Purpose on YouTube from time to time. I don't currently have an ideal set up to film (lack of space, mainly).
I have trademarked Soar Purpose to offer art instruction, so that is something I would like to do in the future (probably online).
Q: Do you have other creative interests?
A: Yes, I like photography and writing. Creative expression gives me purpose. Recently, I invested in a camera that takes sharper reference photos, both for enjoying photography but also for better quality images of my paintings.
In 2024, I was awarded a Red Ribbon in an international writing competition for my memoir, Bipolar Courage: Are You Sure You're Not Autistic?
In 2024 and 2025, I achieved commended and highly commended in photography awards.
A: Yes but only prints A4 size and smaller. No originals.
Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: For art prints:
Within New Zealand = NZ$12 per order.
Australia = NZ$25 per order.
International.
A: For originals:
NZ $15 towards the cost of packaging and courier, as a guide.
Q: Which countries do you ship to?
A: As a guide, small prints A4 and under can be shipped to countries where PayPal is available and most places internationally (including Australia, USA, UK, Canada). I can confirm if you wish to make an order. Enquire with contact form.
Taxes are not included in the price.
Q: Do your prices include GST?
A: I am a sole trader with a hobby art business and I do not currently need to be registered for GST, so the prices listed are what is paid (plus shipping).
Q: How long will it take to get my print?
A: I will place an order with my print supplier as soon as funds are transferred.
Your print will arrive within a week within New Zealand. Longer for overseas.
Q: Do you print and package the art prints yourself?
A: No, I have a speciality, premium art printer take care of this, as it requires special equipment (more sophisticated than a standard CMYK printer). Art prints are shipped directly from my chosen fine art printing service, so there is no double-shipping.
Q: What if my art print gets lost or damaged in transit?
A: I will replace any art prints that get lost or damaged while in transit, so that you get your art print. The same with any prints that arrive with defects (please contact me with contact form ASAP as I will need a photo to be emailed).
Q: How do I care for my art print?
A: Your art print is archival quality with pigment-based inks . This means it will have superior quality and longevity than regular prints done with dye-based inks. To retain the vibrancy in your print, keep away from moisture and do not display in direct sunlight. A print behind glass will last longer than a print exposed to the open air. A fine art print can be treated with the same care as one would care for a watercolour painting.
Professional framers recommend that a mat or spacers are used to keep the glass from touching the art print.
Q: Do you do commissions?
A: Yes, I occasionally take commissions for pet portraits. Within New Zealand only. 50% deposit is required when accepting a commission . Enquire with the contact form.
Q: Are you a self-taught artist?
A: I did School Certificate art way back in 1988. I have since had tuition from professional artists over many years (including with watercolours, oils, acrylics) but most of my artistic development has been experimental. In the past decade, I have developed my skills specialising with artist-grade acylics.
Q: Do you hold exhibitions?
A: I have had two solo exhibitions as part of a mental health project. More recently, I've taken part in group exhibitions.
Q: What do you paint with and on?
A: After experimentation and practice, I prefer to paint with artist-grade acrylics, usually on stretched canvas. Canvas holds up well to multiple layers of paint which I typically apply.
Q: What is your painting style?
A: I will let the images of my art speak for themselves but others have described my art as having energy and movement. I like vibrant colour, even though I've learned to (mostly) tame this a little. From my perspective, I paint metaphor and symbolism. Sometimes, I paint more detailed subjects with emphasis on perspective.
I often take inspiration from nature, especially birds and New Zealand scenery. I have expertise with colour, choosing a different palette for each painting. Exploring colour keeps painting fresh and exciting for me.
Q: Are your artworks originals?
A: Yes, my artworks are originals, painted by hand with real paint and brushes (not AI generated). The fine art prints are quality reproductions of original physical paintings, from a high-resolution photograph. I have a huge collection of my own photographs for reference pics if I need inspiration. This avoids copyright issues with other photographers and artists.
Any reference pics from others have been used with permission. I don't attempt to copy photos exactly.
Q: Do you have an art studio?
A: My 'art studio' for the past decade has been my cramped rented bedroom. Hence, I usually paint in smaller to medium sizes, currently. Usually approximately A4 to A3 sizes.
Q: Do you have limited edition prints?
A: No, as I don't have space to store prints. Each print is printed as ordered. The range is updated from time to time, to reflect my current work.
Q: What are giclee prints?
A: Fine art giclee prints are high-end photographic and print reproductions with large-format wide colour-gamut pigment-based ink-jet printers. A combination of 12 different ink colours can reproduce millions of colours (unattainable by home CMYK printers). With almost as many colours and detail as high end digital cameras can capture.
Using pigment-based inks (rather than dye-based inks) giclee print is achival quality and can last a lifetime (depending on storage/display conditions and paper used).
Q: Do you offer art tuition?
A: At this stage, I don't offer private or small group tuition (mainly due to lack of space and needing to conserve my energy levels). I do have some free demonstrations on my channel Soar Purpose on YouTube from time to time. I don't currently have an ideal set up to film (lack of space, mainly).
I have trademarked Soar Purpose to offer art instruction, so that is something I would like to do in the future (probably online).
Q: Do you have other creative interests?
A: Yes, I like photography and writing. Creative expression gives me purpose. Recently, I invested in a camera that takes sharper reference photos, both for enjoying photography but also for better quality images of my paintings.
In 2024, I was awarded a Red Ribbon in an international writing competition for my memoir, Bipolar Courage: Are You Sure You're Not Autistic?
In 2024 and 2025, I achieved commended and highly commended in photography awards.