ella thomas

Birds in the Bush

2012-02-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Well it is February but I'm not so late if you go by the Chinese New Year.

Well I have decided to have a bit of a studio clear-out and make a determined effort to find new homes for some of my painted manu. That means a Sale! Not just any sale but a 'Birds in the Bush' sale.

Check out ellaQuaint on facebook for further details as to the manu that will be available for you to take home :)

Festive Manu

2011-12-07T02:27:00.001-08:00

Here is a sneak preview of some of the gorgeous, new manu that I have painted for the Auckland Art and Craft Fair that is happening this Saturday.

Toutouwai in progress

Tauhou in progress

Christmas Tui

Kotare in blue

Christmas Riroriro

If hitting the malls to do your Christmas shopping seems a bit hideous, come along and see all of the fabulous wares . . . Auckland Art and Craft Fair blog.

On his Perch

2011-10-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

my favourite tui yet!

So I was very well behaved and I did complete him in a sensible fashion. I so love the simplicity of oriental aesthetics and the whole philosophy around what is 'not there' being as important as what is, leaving out the perch was definitely pushing that sentiment a bit too far.

Ehoa Tui 2011

It is so nice getting used to my little camera again. I had lent it to my mum so she could take it overseas with her and I borrowed her camera instead. Although her camera is so much flasher, I love my little lumix.

detail of the layered up reds and greens of the pohutukawa

detail of the tui

Enjoy . . . there will be additional images within his listing should you wish to be nosy Ehoa Tui on Toggle

Ehoa Tui

2011-09-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Not the best photo . . .

Well this is the first painting that I have done of a tui for a wee while and I love him to bits! The problem is he doesn't seem to want to perch on anything. He was meant to be like a companion piece to the work that I painted for my mum a few months ago so I kind of feel that he should be grounded by something.

The colours are richer in life.

Maybe an idea for later, painting birds sans environment?? Ehoa Tui translates to being 'Tui Friend'.

Finally!!!

2011-09-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

Piwakawaka Koanga 2011

Well I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who loose some of their mojo in winter. Something about the short days, frosty mornings and random snow falls which channels my inner bear and makes me want to just sleep and eat. A little bit of sunshine can make all of the difference and this piwakawaka (fantail) heralds a creative spurt (I hope).

There are many subtle layers of umbers, siennas, blues, creams, ochres that have been layered up to create the texture of his plumage. I probably spent a bit too much time on him and this photo really doesn't do him justice, it is slightly overexposed and has flushed out the colour. I am not going to complain about too much light though! The name 'Piwakawaka Koanga' refers to 'Spring Piwakawaka'. I like the idea that that play with words can also talk about the action of how the wee manu bounces around the place. He should be listed for sale soon.

Tiotio Ruru

2011-08-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tiotio Ruru 2011

I adore ruru; there is something quite magical about their ability to swoop past on silent feathers. Years ago I was at a family friend's house and after dinner we sat in the dark watching out ruru out the window pounce on moths that were attracted to the porch light. It really was like a silent ballet.

No camping trip or bush stay is quite complete without being lulled to sleep with the 'morepork' call of the ruru. It so reminds me of my childhood.

Tiotio refers to the 'call' of the ruru, again I have used the pattern from a vintage copperplate to symbolise the sound that he makes.

Korimako Waiwai

2011-06-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

close up of Korimako Waiwai

I finally got the korimako watercolour finished and able to print him off to join wee piwakawaka. Unfortunately I overworked the kotare painting so I am going to redo it again at sometime as it was looking so cute. Enjoy :)

I haven't used watercolours in this way for a while so it has been fun getting used to them again. Korimako has turned out really well in my view, he has that cheeky twinkle that I associate with bellbirds and aim to capture when painting them.

Should you be interested in checking him out, limited edition prints of him are available for sale on Felt Korimako Waiwai listing on Felt

The Grey Ghost

2011-06-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

image from the forest and bird blog

This evening there was an article on the Sunday programme about the South Island Kokako. Bird enthusiasts have labelled it the Grey Ghost due to it's ability to blend into the mist and to avoid being seen. It was declared officially extinct in 2007, much to the sadness of many of us who share a passion for our indigenous species. You can view the article in the Forest and Bird blog here, Bird Stalkers article

However there is still hope, a group of ornathologists who go by the name SIKIT, (South Island Kokako Investigation Team) are appealing to people who have had encounters with the birds. A recorded South Is kokako call that was documented over a year ago has inspired further attempts to prove that the red wattled kokako is still in existance. You can check out there official site here, The Grey Ghost Let's hope that they can find further evidence soon so that the species can get the support it needs to continue.

Forest and Bird

2011-06-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

tātāeko / whitehead

Here is an interesting article talking about the variety of bird life that existed in Auckland prior to it becoming an urban sprawl. Yay for programmes like the Ark in the Park for coming up with ways to try and bring back some diversity of bird life back into the Auckland region Forest and Bird article

Manukura

2011-05-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

'Manukura' means of chiefly status

He is just gorgeous! Follow the link to the full article Herald article on Manukura

Manu Waiwai

2011-05-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Kotare in progress

This idea has been in my head for quite sometime and I have finally had the chance to sit down and experiment with it. Watercolour manu! I like the idea of prodcing a range of images which are more affordable and easily produced once the initial painting has been perfected.

I think he will look gorgeous when he is finished

After experimenting with my printer I have managed to get it to accept 300 gms paper and the final results are fabulous. The inks are of top quality and are said to have very good archival propertities.

Piwakawaka Waiwai 2011

Here is one that is completed, in it's printed form. Waiwai refers to the watery media that was used to create the image. The subtleties of the watercolour process are still visible, which to me was very important. They are all signed and in an edition of 50.

detail

At this stage I am considering printing half of the edition on canvas, but at this stage I will just stick with the paper. Piwakawaka Waiwai is available for purchase on Felt

Tui Mahira

2011-04-19T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is the latest bird to add to the whanau, Tui Mahira; meaning nosey tui. I loved the photo that I based this guy off and I am stoked with how I captured his inquisitiveness within the painting. Here I also experimented with working in a wider variety of blue hues within his wing feathers. The original image had been pushed through photoshop I think. Enjoy. Link to Tui Mahira

St Heliers Bay Market on Sunday

2011-04-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

Hey there, come and join us at St Heliers Bay Easter Eggstravaganza Market. It is this Sunday 17th, 10 - 3 pm Tamaki Ex-Services Association Hall, Cnr Turua St & Polygon Rd, St Heliers. I have never had a stall at a market before but it should be great fun. It is all very last minute, a last minute invitation but hey you gotta give it a go eh? Look for the ellaQuaint store :) St Heliers Bay Easter Eggstravaganza Market

ooo, chilly

2011-04-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

Treehugger is one of my favourite ecoblogs. Here is a wild article which I thought I would share with you. Of all the birds who need their feathers . . .treehugger article

Don Merton Dies

2011-04-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

Don Merton holding Richard Henry, a Fiordland kakapo

It is so sad, the beloved koro of both the toutouwai (black robin) and kakapo has died at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer. He was the person responsible for bringing back both species of manu (birds) back from the brink of extinction, without his intervention we would have lost both feathered treasures.

Link to the Article from the New Zealand Herald

Kotare Iti

2011-03-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Kotare Iti

Finally I got this manu finished. He has been hanging around for a little while, very patiently I might add. It is all good as I am thrilled with how beautifully he has turned out.

A detailed view of Kotare

The flourish which is used to show his call is again taken from an old Victorian copperplate.

This gorgeous work is available for sale on Toggle

Toggle Website

Red Cross Fundraiser

2011-03-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

Yay! I am sooo stoked, 'Arohanui' has found itself a new home and has raised over $500 for the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Fund. Thanks so much to all of you who bid and special thanks to the winner of the auction. I am going to miss my favourite tui hanging around my flat but it is for such a good cause.

Ehoa Piwakawaka

2011-03-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Ehoa Piwakawaka 2011

This little toanga is for Sue who had a birthday this week. I hope she likes him xx

Underpainting

2011-03-20T01:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of the underlayers of paint work on Arohanui. The gold layer underneath helps add to the lustre of the tui's feathers.

Varoius blues have been layered up in subtle transparent layers also, to add richness and depth

Here is the link to the auction that closes on Thursday Arohanui Auction on Trademe

Christchurch Charity Auction ' Arohanui'

2011-03-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Fingers crossed :)
'Arohanui' by Ella Thomas.trademe.co.nz

Arohanui Christchurch

2011-03-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a hectic couple of weeks. The awful events in Christchurch have frequently been in my thoughts, especially as my Dad's family come from Canterbury. The Friday after the quake I actually was down there for a family event and it was a different city from when I last visited, just before Christmas.

Arohanui 2011

We were staying in a motel just outside of the central city, on the edge of Hagley Park. Thankfully they still had water and power. It was how I imagined a war zone to be, helicopters frequently cut across overhead; ambulances wailing at least one an hour. The people we came across were in a stunned state, some tramautised. Members of my family who have been deeply affected but are thankfully intact. Like many their house and land is probably to be condemned, but I suppose events like this are part of life's journey. I wanted to do a little something in response to this tragedy. It took me much longer than I thought as I had yet to paint a manu this large. Here it is . . .

Arohanui 2011
560mm x 710mm x 36mm
Archival Acrylics and gesso on canvas

cover image and article
by Jason Hoskings

You couldn't hear any birdlife around the city, apart from the ducks in the park. Like they say, 'water off a duck's back'. This saying has always appealed and I think there may be some influence evident within the painting. Tui I think of being particularly resilient also, they have thrived where other species have floundered. The photo that inspired the pose I used was from New Zealand Geographic abridged tui article

This photo is just stunning, I did adapt the pose to suit my needs as I wanted to render the face of the tui. Within the painting are other references to painters, old and new as well as influences by one of my favourite illustrators. I suppose I like the idea of the tui being like an endemic phoenix. Shortly I will be able to provide a link to the auction, of which I am going to donate the proceeds to the Red Cross. I you like it, link-love would be great . . . even better, bid on it :)

detailed layering

fluttering feathers

here you can see some of the sheen of the
gold underpainting coming through

kereru

2011-02-15T23:14:00.000-08:00

Kereru Waiata 2011

I haven't painted a kereru for such a long time. To me they are kind of scary because the images I choose to work from generally show off their feathers in their best light. The better the light, the more the colours that appear in them.

This kereru turned out so well. Because initially I wanted to include it in the waiata series, I had that in mind. Then I realized that I have never, that I know of actually heard the call or song of one. There wasn't anything; recordings or descriptions to be found online either. In the end I decided that his waiata would be a quiet, subtle one and painted it white.

See the other blog ellaQuaint for another beautiful kereru work that I came across online, recently ellaQuaint

Again you can see more details of this taonga on Toggle, where he is available for purchase toggle

another in the hand . . .

2011-02-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

Toutouwai Pango Toitiiti 2011

Toutouwai Pango Toitiiti
2011
150mm x 150mm x 35mm
Archival acrylic and water colour on canvas

detail

Another iti treasure in the hand. This little toutoutwai, or black robin was carefully layered up using blues and brown, upon a mid grey base. No black was actually used in the painting of this manu so the depth of the colour is the result of many layers of washes, in a manner akin to oil paint glazes. I have heightened the contrast in colour in her feathers for dramatic effect.

I keep thinking of this character as Little Blue seeing as it is highly likely that she is a descendant of Old Blue.

You will be able to view her in more detail on Toggle where she is available for purchase
http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

The inspiration behind this series of work can be read here . . .
http://ellaquaint.blogspot.com/2011/02/bird-in-hand-is-kind-of-cranky.html

A Bird in the Hand . . .

2011-02-07T02:15:00.000-08:00

Korimako Toitiiti

I was curious as to whether or not I could create some smaller paintings. Combine that with seeing some very cute but disgruntled birds being held in peoples' hands, the idea of 'A Bird in the Hand' was born. To be honest I figure that most hand held birds are either frightened or hacked off. I have some cute images of said birds on ellaQuaint.blogspot.com

This little taonga is happily perching on a branch. The small scale of the format is approximately hand-sized so there is a nice play with meaning also.

Tui Toitiiti

This wee tui is part of the series, these iti treasures are the start of the 'A Bird in the Hand' series. The other concern behind them was to produce a range that was cheaper than my other works. My only worry was that I would be unable to paint birds, especially larger ones like tui that small.

Well now I feel that that fear was unfounded as I am stoked with how this manu turned out. There is still enough room to layer up fine details within the feathers. I am looking forward to seeing how other species turn out.

These little gems are available on toggle :)
http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

Another post based on the same idea can be seen here
http://ellaquaint.blogspot.com/2011/02/bird-in-hand-is-kind-of-cranky.html

tui waiata tira

2011-02-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

Tui Waiata Tira 2011

Here is the latest addition to my Waiata series. She was enjoyable to paint and many rich colours layered up within her feathers. The image that I used for inspiration when painting her was high contrasting tonally, this gave her a pronounced controur on the brow. Because of this I nick-named her Frida.

Waiata tira is a choral song; a song sung as a choir without actions. I imagined her listening to the dawn chorus, waking up and contemplating joining in. On my other blog; ellaQuaint, you can see the process as to how I layered up her feathers.

She is available for purchase from toggle; enjoy

http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

Riroriro

2011-02-02T02:17:00.000-08:00

Riroriro / grey warblers are still among my favourite birds. I think that it is their resiliance that appeals to me. An earlier posting goes into detail about how special these birds are.

'Riroriro Iti' 2011

The riroriro despite their other name, aren't just grey, many different subtle hues occur within the feathers. I have tried very hard to layer up subtle changes of colour to achieve are similar effect when you view it from a couple of feet away.

As well as many other fabulous kiwi designs and art objects, you can see more images of Riroriro Iti on
http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

the latest korimako painting

2011-02-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Finally I have completed this little korimako / bellbird painting. I really like way the greens and other subtle hues have layered up in his feathers. By zooming in on the image you can see this more clearly.

'Korimako Iti' 2011
SOLD

I was interested in experimenting with how I could render sound, especially the gorgeous song / call that they make. The linear forms are taken from an old copperplate, flourish, something I think is quite appropriate.

Detail

Somewhere, I have an MP3 file of an evening chorus from Tiritiri Matangi. Hopefully I can find it and somehow add it to this post . . . it was really quite amazing.

Here you can view more images of the painting.
http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

kakapo photo wins top award

2011-01-31T03:05:00.000-08:00

This is such a delightful photograph of one of our rarest taonga. Shane McInnes won the international award for photographing rare / endangered birds. Thanks to my mum for sending it to me :)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10702257

new representation

2011-01-30T02:05:00.000-08:00

Toggle is a fabulous site dedicated to the great New Zealand design and art. I am really happy to be represented by them. Keep an eye out for more works to come shortly

http://www.toggle.co.nz/ella-thomas.html

the first tui of the year

2011-01-27T01:33:00.000-08:00

This little taonga (treasure) is my first tui for the year. Actually my first tui for quite sometime. I forgot how much I love painting them, that manic sparkle in theirs eyes and the lustre to their feathers is really quite engaging.

Tui Tipu 2011
SOLD

Tipu is Maori for bud, it also means growth, beginning; it is postive and for me talks of rebirth. Kind of poetic really. It looks like I will have new representation so I am very excited by that. Enjoy.

Detail of Tui Tipu

First Painting for 2011

2011-01-19T20:27:00.000-08:00

Piwakawaka Iti 2011

Here is my first completed painting for 2011. It is a sweet little piwakawaka (fantail) that is bright eyed and frisky. The title of the work is 'Piwakawaka Iti' Looking back to some of my earlier paintings of piwakawaka, I can definately see the development towards more of an anime influence within the birds facial features; especially the exaggerated eyes. I suppose I am trying to enhance their senses to help them to survive.

Detail of Piwakawaka Iti

I love the composition of this piece, the way that the feathers balance out the diagonals of the tree branch. This results in the viewer's eye always being led towards the bird in the middle. The simplicity of the background which has a very subtle texture, enhances the details on the manu (bird), some of which can be seen in the close-up to the left. Unfortunately no matter how good my camera is, I can't seem to fully capture the subtleties of the paint work.

. . . Its been a while

2011-01-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

Well, once again I tried to work full-time and also maintain my own artistic practice. However for some strange reason it just didn't seem to work. This year I have decided to step back once again from structured employment and allow time for my painting. Summer is a wonderful time for recharging creative energy and the flood of ideas I have had has been massive. Hopefully I will be able to do some of them justice . . .

harakeke korimako

2008-03-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

Harakeke Korimako

3 canvases 205mm x 205mm x 35mm each

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

This work was one that I was particularly pleased with. I have been wanting to extend my use of colour, I can be a little nervous of using too many as it is so easy to get carried away with it. I really like the introduction of the orange within the pattern in the background. The koirmako / bellbirds turned out wickedly also.

hei tiki kahurangi

2008-03-14T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hei Tiki Kahurangi

305mm x 405mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylicson canvas

Here is one of my latest works. I was interested in seeing what would happen if I used a blue background. One of the meanings of kahurangi is blue. It can also translate to mean jewel, a treasured possession and is one of the most prized forms of pounamu (greenstone, New Zealand jade).

puriri piwakawkaka

2008-03-04T01:14:00.000-08:00

3 canvases 205mm x 205mm x 35mm each
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

Here two little piwakawaka (fantails)chatter to each other. I am trying to look to other ways to add a life-like vitality to the birds / manu that I paint, showing movement or singing, chirping is a way that I can do that. The branches of the puriri tree are more cropped into the foliage than what I normally depict. This opens up the composition and allows the piwakawaka to be the main focus. It increases the naturalism of the scene.

tui mouku

2008-03-04T00:53:00.000-08:00

Diptych 2 canvases 305mm x 225mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

This was a commission that I really enjoyed working upon, it features a tui perched among flowers of ngutu-kaka (kaka beak). I am really happy with how I have managed to further explore playing with simplified kowhaiwhai forms in the tui's collar feathers. The background has layered up silhouetted of mouku (hen and chicken fern).

hei tiki

2008-02-27T01:04:00.000-08:00

hei tiki kaponga

225mm x 305mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

I have been seeing some great pieces based upon using the hei tiki as a key image. Hei tiki are taonga (treasures) handed down from generation to generation. They are generally carved out of pounamu (greenstone, New Zealand jade) and are worn around the neck (hei). They are seen as symbols of fertility and guardians of mothers and unborn children. I have always loved hei tiki, many of my friends have been having babies and I think that might have inspired my wish to paint hei tiki also.

hei tiki mouku

305mm x 405mm x 35mm

Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

These are just the start of many idea that I have based upon hei tiki. Overlaying the hei tiki in front of silhouettes of fern fronds like in Hei Tiki Kaponga (silver fern) and Hei Tiki Mouku (hen and chicken fern) creates a lushious effect. In combining these images I suppose I am hoping that the world will be blessed with green, eco-friendly babies. A bit corny, but hey.

tui teo

2008-02-27T00:39:00.000-08:00

Triptych 3 pieces 205 mm x 205 mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

With this painting I was drawn into experimenting with layering silhouettes of kowhai leaves and hand painted realistic images. I was also wanting to see the effect of not including kowhai blooms, . An interesting development seems to be occurring with how I am rendering the birds, particularly tui. Their eyes are getting bigger and bigger.

harakeke piwakawaka

2008-02-07T00:32:00.000-08:00

Triptych 3 pieces 205mm x 2205mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

This little work was so much fun to paint, these two piwakawaka (fantails) just turned out gorgeously. Trying to capture movement is something that I am interested in exploring further and I am really happy with how the wings turned out on the male.

manuka riroriro 2008

2008-02-03T02:27:00.000-08:00

The little riroriro (grey warbler) was awarded 'Bird of the Year' in 2007. It is quite an amazing little bird, despite pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoo) parasitism riroriro are still quite common. Instead of having just one breeding round during spring, riroriro actually have two, one of them being earlier than that of the pipiwharauroa. This has enabled them to survive where other birds wouldn't have. They also adapt quickly to most environments, even in suburbia. I was lucky enough to see one on Tiritiri Matangi, they are so small(about 100mm) and delightful. Initially I mistook it for a rifleman, but later found out that there are none on the island.

Triptych, 3 canvases 205mm x 405mm x 35mm
Archival acrylics and gesso on canvas

I am really happy with how these paintings turned out. The subtle layering worked well, riroriro colouring and feathers are just beautiful. Manuka flowers and the darker branches proved to be the ideal backdrop for the triptych.

chilling

2008-01-27T00:48:00.000-08:00

The weather that we have been having has been fantastic. I have been pretty busy in my garage, painting up a storm. Today however, I did take time out and got to the beach. It was wonderful lying in the sun at Narrowneck, chatting with friends and swimming in the sea. The last time I swimming there I was a child. Straight out in front of where we had set ourselves up were a couple of tara diving down upon fish. White fronted terns are so aerodynamic, they fly beautifully. I wish I had had a camera on me. That is something that I want to start exploring more within my painting, birds in flight.

ngutu-kaka tui

2008-01-19T00:20:00.000-08:00

2008
Triptych 3 canvases
305mm x 405mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

Within this triptych I got a little carried away with the details within the tui plumage and the abundance of ngutu-kaka (kaka beak) flowers and foliage. In my opinion the effect is lovely even if the painting took quite some time to complete.

In the wild the ngutu-kaka is rare, browsing pests like possums and feral goats have contributed greatly to this. Thankfully it is a popular tree in gardens so it is safe from extinction.

tui kahukura

2008-01-19T00:02:00.000-08:00

2008
diptych
2 canvases 305mm x 225mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

This little diptych is the second work that I have completed this year, it was a commission piece. As well as a tui perched on flowering pohutukawa, to the left a kahukura, native red admiral flutters. Kahukura also has some other lovely meanings; to be multicoloured, a rainbow as well as a cloak coloured with red ochre. The composition works wonderfully within the double landscape format.

kowhai piwakawaka

2008-01-18T23:41:00.000-08:00

2008
Triptych
3 canvases 225mm x 305mm x 35mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

Within this painting I further experimented with my painting style, particularly within the rendering of the birds. I sometimes get a little carried away with adding lots of super-fine details so I aim to start leaving some areas less worked up so as to enhance those that are more refined. It gives a freshness and energy to the subject matter. The positive shapes of kowhai leaves and flowers and the negative spaces around them are absolutely gorgeous.

happy new year

2008-01-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

,Even though I have started back at the studio (well, my garage), I feel wonderfully refreshed after a break out of Auckland. Friends of mine live up North near Waimamaku and I was fortunate to spend New Year's with them. Staying so near the Waipoua Forest, there was much in the way of bird life and native flora to see. Even though I got a much needed break away, my brain was still inspired and ticking over.

On the way up I had to stop off and visit the Four Sisters and Te Matua Ngahere to pay my respects. It was so nice to be able to get some fresh air and stretch my legs as well as being reminded of how magnificent our Kauri are. It was like visiting a giant outdoor cathedral with that same sense of peace and grandeur. Some paintings exploring Kauri might have to occur.

The Waipoua Forest is home to many native birds, endangered including kiwi and kokako. I hope to do a mission to view and hear some of the northland kokako during the year. What is particularly interesting is that the call of the kokako has regional differences. Apparently this can cause problems in transferring birds from one sanctuary to another, they don't respond to calls that they don't recognise. DOC and researchers have counteracted that problem with exposing birds to regional calls at a young age to assist with their translocation.

New Year's day saw me paying for the previous evening's festivities by going for a mountain bike ride. I managed to see a native orchid that I had never seen before growing on the side of the road. I must look it up really, to find out what it is, unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me. Our native orchids are just delightful. I didn't quite have enough steam to make it to the cafe for coffee and cake, or rather I didn't think that I would make it back.

The next day was spent swimming and lazing in the sun on Waimamaku beach. It is just beautiful out there regardless of the weather. The tranquility of the river as it meanders towards the coast is in stark contrast to the ruggedness of the water, like how you get at all West Coast beaches. When I went for a walk, with my camera this time, I managed to get some neat photos of kawau, I'm not sure which kind, it was two parents and a juvenile, I think. They were quite annoyed with me following them, actually I was just heading back in the same direction. The first photo is capturing them getting startled by a wave, as I was busy laughing at them, I got saturated also. Karma. The second one is further down the beach, I am unsure if it is of the same family group. I think that I will have to do some works based on these guys at some point too.

tui tahi

2008-01-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
615mm x 405mm
Archival quality acrylics and gesso on canvas

Here I experimented with using a single tui within a central format. The canvases are of a longer format than I have used previously but work wonderfully with the vertical nature of harakeke.

puataua korimako

2008-01-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
225mm x 305mm
Archival quality acrylics, spraypaint and gesso on canvas

I love this painting to pieces. The mistiness of the background reminds me of how light filters through the bush at dawn. This is one of the times when the korimako are particularly vocal with their delightful call. Contrasting beautifully with the freshness of the greens within the korimako's (bellbird's) feathers, are the rich, earthy browns. Puataua is another of our lovely native clematis species.

pirirangi toutouwai

2008-01-08T00:36:00.000-08:00

2007
Triptych 3 canvases
675mm x 305mm
Archival quality acrylics, spraypaint and gesso on canvas

This painting was one of my first experiments with using spray paint in the background. I really like the way that the speckles diffuse out towards the edges, an effect that I could explore further.

The little toutouwai that is making eye contact was based upon a photograph that I took myself at Tiritiri Matangi. It is not such a great one however but it captures the character and bravery of the little robin. I thought that they were just cheeky, but actually this little toutouwai was poised ready to protect its nest. I have heard that they will pursue and dive bomb anyone or thing that poses a threat to their young.

harakeke matangi

2008-01-08T00:24:00.000-08:00

Ella Thomas 2007
Triptych 3 canvases
305mm x 405mm
Archival acrylics on canvas

With this work I was particularly happy with the way that the harakeke leaves layered up over the fern silhouettes. There is lovely movement implied within the foliage which is then reinforced by the poses of birds.

merry christmas

2007-12-29T00:03:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas has struck already and before we know it, the New Year will have begun. I have to admit that I was very spoiled by my friends and family. Of note, I recieved 'Eagle's Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand' by Audrey Eagle, published by Te Papa Press. The range of plant species is phenomenal and illustrations superb. Eagle has wonderful perceptual ability and an excellent eye for detail. Having borrowed her books from the library previously, I have learned much from observing her images. I am sooo happy to now have a set of my own, thanks Mum! xx

puawananga tui

2007-12-06T01:25:00.000-08:00

Puawananga is a native clematis, the blooms are absolutely gorgeous. Here I experimented with combining the creamy, white flowers and our delightful tui on a mild green background. A vintage wallpaper pattern features in the background, it was reworked back into with hues reminiscent of retro decor. I was thrilled with how this tryptich turned out. In my opinion it is very visually pleasing.

pohutukawa tieke

2007-12-06T01:09:00.000-08:00

While on Tiritiri Matangi, I was amazed at how plentiful the tieke (saddle backs) were. Having never seen one before in my entire life, it was such a treat to see one, let alone in the wild. They would hang out in little whanau clusters, cheeky and nosy, chattering like Woody Wood pecker. It was interesting to find out that tieke mate for life, you usually don't associate that with birds.

fantails and roses

2007-12-06T00:56:00.000-08:00

I have been remiss in the upkeep of this blog. Since getting back from Tiri I have frantically been trying to get caught up with work etc; and got out of the habit. The background of this work was an experiment with overlapping fragments of vintage lace and doileys. I think that there is more to explore in the idea of playing with 'fan'tails and lace. Something that could be experimented with further next year. Because the painting had a vintage feel with the doilies I decided to go with it. The roses worked wonderfully, one of my favourite ones happened to be flowering so I used that to base the painted ones on. The exaggeration of the serpentine nature of the stems added interest to the composition and linked all three panels together beautifully.

tiritiri matangi

2007-11-19T02:40:00.000-08:00

Recently I was fortunate to go to Tiritiri Matangi in the harbour. It is a DOC reserve, one of the few predator-free areas in New Zealand. We can thank the hard work of many volunteers and DOC workers for having the privilege to enjoy such a precious environment. Going there is like traveling back in time, to how I would imagine Aotearoa would have been without human intervention. On Tiri reside many different bird species including rare and endangered birds such as kokako, hihi (stitchbird), tieke (saddleback), takahe, spotted kiwi, just to name a few.

It is amazing walking through the bush and hearing so many different bird calls, choruses of korimako (bellbird), tieke giggling at you in whanau groups at every turn. Of course you cannot forget our tui, seem to revel in imitating any bird that is around them. Shy kakariki that try and hide from you as soon as they sense your presence and little popokotea (whitehead) that twitter around in hyperactive clusters.

This photograph of Rangitoto viewed above ti (cabbage trees of different varieties) reminds me of the cover image of '200 years of New Zealand Painting.' The lush regenerating bush is a result of hundreds of people and children contributing their time and energy to help to create this precious environment. There are so many birds on the island that it will be some time still before all of the trees are mature enough to provide food for all of the birds. To assist with this additional food is put out by the rangers and researchers.

I have further been inspired in my art making and now have personalities to add to the manu that are depict within my paintings. Unfortunately my own photographs are not the best. I don't think that National Geographic will come knocking for my photographic talents. I will have to go back sometime soon just to add to the experiences that I have already had there.

kia ora kereru

2007-10-30T01:48:00.000-07:00

Today I went for the usual walk up my local mountain. It was a gorgeous sunny day, very few clouds in the sky and a lovely cooling breeze. Enjoying the view as I walked clockwise, around the road, a sudden movement in the tree tops to my left caught my attention. I looked up and was fortunate to see a kereru perching high up in a eucalyptus tree. It mate then fluttered up next to it. They were as well-fed as the ones I had depicted within my painting. Surprisingly wood pigeons can be very fluid, graceful fliers. Two days ago I witnessed one fly vertically above the very same tree. It then stalled, and in a perfect, parabolic arc dived back down, out of view. Just beautiful.

Three times in two weeks. It is weird, am I noticing birds more since I have been painting them? Maybe they have recently moved into the neighbourhood.

Harakeke Tui

2007-10-25T02:04:00.000-07:00

I completed this work today. After completing the comissoned piece, I couldn't resist doing another tui work. I had a new image that I was keen to give a try and I am thrilled about how the tui turned out. Unfortunately I also go a call from the library about the very same, and other library books. I don't think that I will be thrilled about the incurred fines! Serves me right. The harakeke or flax is slightly transparent which contrasts with the solidity of the birds.

A Lovely Surprise

2007-10-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

Getting out-of-doors, in and amongst nature is something that I find productive for my art making, but also calming for my spirit. My regular walk is a wonderful way to start the morning. I leave the house half asleep and inarticulate, to return refreshed, revitalized and ready to face the day. Oh, and face what ever ideas I need to resolve and paintings I need to continue upon from yesterday. It is a lovely little ritual.

I was walking up Maungawhau (Mt Eden, one of Auckland's very special volcanic cones) the other day. A retreat from the hustle and stink of the city. There are many gorgeous native trees up there and you can frequently hear and see tui, swallows and other birds. After reaching the summit and having all of the cobwebs blown out of my head by a brisk South Easterly. I started to make my way down through the track that passes by the kumera pits. Overhead flew a cluster of birds, it was a silhouette that I had not seen up there before. They were larger forms that I was used to seeing, my immediate assumption was that they were sea-birds. Maybe they had flown inland to avoid some of the shonky weather that we had been having. The shape of them was not right for a seabird however. As it turned out, after getting a close up view of one's chest, the white and grey-blue determined that they were kereru! I don't think that I had ever seen them anywhere in Auckland except for out in the Waitakeres. It made my day.

Pohutukawa Tui

2007-10-19T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ella Thomas 2007
Triptych 3 canvases
305mm x 405mm
Archival acrylics on canvas

Another work that I added the finishing details yesterday. It was a private commission which is to be gifted to a family over in America. I am thrilled with how it has turned out, the composition I find pleasing; the layering and contrast within the colour palette.

Tui are one of Aotearoa's most iconic birds. It has a vivacious personality and delightful song. The pohutakawa, New Zealand's christmas tree that lines our coast lines with velvet splashes of crimson.

Porokaiwhiri Kereru

2007-10-18T03:06:00.000-07:00

Ella Thomas 2007

Triptych 3 canvases

305mm x 405mm

Archival acrylics on canvas

This is a work that I finished this week. I am so happy with how the layered colours have captured the luminescent quality of the kereru feathers. They are such hilaroius birds and look like they just shouldn't be able to fly because they are so fat.

Porokaiwhiri is the Pigeonwood tree that provides berries which Kereru love to devour.

Kereru is the New Zealand wood pigeon.