This Saturday the 21st March I will be taking part in the Artists of Eden Fundraiser event. This is an annual event that takes place in the Mt Eden Village Centre, 449 Mt Eden Road, from 10am until 2pm. It’s a great opportunity to see lots of artists creating their work throughout the day, then at 2.30pm all the artworks are auctioned off to the public. There will be live music throughout the day and all the artists involved are encouraged to use the theme of Mt Eden in their art pieces.

I was last involved with this event back in 1996 while I was doing MFA at Elam Art School, so it’s very exciting to be part of this again after so many years. This year I will be completing a painting which is based on my association and deep connection with Maungawhau (Mt Eden). I have lived most of my life in and around this inner city area and I enjoy my regular walks up the maunga. Every morning when I get up and make coffee I can see Mt Eden out my kitchen window and I feel so grateful that we have this beautiful place so close by. One of my favourite trees is the Puriri with its magenta flowers and lush green leaves. I often pick up puriri flowers that land on the road leading up the slope of the maunga. My painting is an intuitive response to these experiences. They evoke a calming presence to the grounding nature of the summit with lines and marks reflecting the winding path up the mountain and the circular shape of the crater, the colours and textures of the trees and foliage that surrounds me on my walks.

If you are around Auckland this weekend it would be lovely to see you there if you can make it.