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 small prints A4 and under at the stated shipping prices (unless you are prepared to pay much higher shipping rates).
Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: For art prints:
Within New Zealand = NZ$12 per order (all print sizes) towards packaging and courier costs.
Australia = NZ$25 per order (small prints A4 and under only).
International (including USA, UK, Canada, Europe) = NZ$45 per order (small prints A4 and under only).
A: For originals:
NZ $15 towards the cost of packaging and courier.
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 offer a range of sizes and papers?
A: After doing some print tests, I have decided to offer prints on one paper type that complement the original paintings. This is a high quality, archival acid-free paper in 275gsm soft white, textured matte surface. The largest print size is listed but smaller sizes (to approximately A4) may be requested.
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 am taking commissions (within New Zealand only). I prefer to paint pets, wild birds and nature scenes. 50% deposit is required when accepting a commission. More information about commissions. I can give you an estimated timeframe with enquiries. Email: [email protected] or enquire via the contact form.
Q: Are you a self-taught artist?
A: I did School Certificate art 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. Most intensively in the past decade, as creating art (even messy art) has been therapeutic.
Q: Do you hold exhibitions?
A: I have had two solo exhibitions as part of a mental health project but I don't have plans to have further solo exhibitions at this stage. I occasionally take part in group exhibitions (less pressure and stress). I took part in the Art Expo 2024 in Taupo and hope to take part in future 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 texture is visible in the fine art print reproductions.
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, especially if I have the space and freedom to let loose with a larger piece. I like vibrant colour, even though I've learned to (mostly) tame this a little. From my perspective, I paint metaphor and symbolism. Sometimes, more detailed. Othertimes, looser and freer. I like variety and colour.
I often take inspiration from nature, especially birds and New Zealand scenery. I also like to paint pets (currently accepting commissions).
I have expertise with colour, choosing a different palette for each painting.
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.
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 approximatedly A4 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 minor award in an international writing competition for my memoir. More about these interests plus my journey and books are on my international website and blog at www.soarpurpose.com.
In 2024, I achieved 'commended' in all three photos I entered into the New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards (NZAPA).
If you have any other questions, please ask via the contact form.
A: Yes but only small prints A4 and under at the stated shipping prices (unless you are prepared to pay much higher shipping rates).
Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: For art prints:
Within New Zealand = NZ$12 per order (all print sizes) towards packaging and courier costs.
Australia = NZ$25 per order (small prints A4 and under only).
International (including USA, UK, Canada, Europe) = NZ$45 per order (small prints A4 and under only).
A: For originals:
NZ $15 towards the cost of packaging and courier.
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 offer a range of sizes and papers?
A: After doing some print tests, I have decided to offer prints on one paper type that complement the original paintings. This is a high quality, archival acid-free paper in 275gsm soft white, textured matte surface. The largest print size is listed but smaller sizes (to approximately A4) may be requested.
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 am taking commissions (within New Zealand only). I prefer to paint pets, wild birds and nature scenes. 50% deposit is required when accepting a commission. More information about commissions. I can give you an estimated timeframe with enquiries. Email: [email protected] or enquire via the contact form.
Q: Are you a self-taught artist?
A: I did School Certificate art 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. Most intensively in the past decade, as creating art (even messy art) has been therapeutic.
Q: Do you hold exhibitions?
A: I have had two solo exhibitions as part of a mental health project but I don't have plans to have further solo exhibitions at this stage. I occasionally take part in group exhibitions (less pressure and stress). I took part in the Art Expo 2024 in Taupo and hope to take part in future 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 texture is visible in the fine art print reproductions.
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, especially if I have the space and freedom to let loose with a larger piece. I like vibrant colour, even though I've learned to (mostly) tame this a little. From my perspective, I paint metaphor and symbolism. Sometimes, more detailed. Othertimes, looser and freer. I like variety and colour.
I often take inspiration from nature, especially birds and New Zealand scenery. I also like to paint pets (currently accepting commissions).
I have expertise with colour, choosing a different palette for each painting.
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.
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 approximatedly A4 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 minor award in an international writing competition for my memoir. More about these interests plus my journey and books are on my international website and blog at www.soarpurpose.com.
In 2024, I achieved 'commended' in all three photos I entered into the New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards (NZAPA).
If you have any other questions, please ask via the contact form.
'Secret Bees' Business' - photo by Xanthe Wyse