I am a New Zealand artist, specialising in oil-on-canvas seascapes and landscapes My work is sold through galleries, art shows around New Zealand, private commissions and from my own home art studio. This land which gives me a sense of home and belonging, and which has shaped our identity is a constant source of inspiration. My work comes from a sense of pre-history; untouched seascapes conveying isolation, capturing a sense of the familiar but not necessarily a specific place; and uninhabited landscapes, some with faint impressions of former human presence. Although still in the representational genre, by manipulating colour and perspective, I like to play with the emotions of the scene, essentially I wants my paintings to have their own voice.
Trees have always been a constant theme of my work, and my original series - Over the Edge, is influenced by the many coastal walks around New Zealand, especially of Northland beaches. I paint them from a birds-eye perspective, revealing a scene you can’t always see, the experience of being suspended in space or hanging over the edge of a cliff. These altered elements give a sense of the abstract to otherwise recognisable imagery.
Another body of work was initially inspired by a poem by Herman Hesse “What trees can teach us about belonging and life”. My It’s the Journey series, reveals iconic trees, shaped by the elements, and anchored against stormy skies, struggling with the elements, which I use as a metaphor for the human condition. In contrast, my Still Waters series captures places of quiet contemplation, reflective waters, evening light, and misty, moody water. More recently, travels through Fiordland have enriched my creative journey and are inspiring a further series of work.
I live in Warkworth and have an Advanced level 7 Diploma of Art and Design (2013), majoring in painting.
For all enquiries use the link below or Visit Sonia’s garden art studio - by appointment only
Galleries:
Art Bureau Gallery - Mount Eden, Auckland, NZ Mahurangi Network Gallery - Matakana Valley Road MATAKANA Art of this world Gallery - Albany, Auckland, NZ Kohukohu Gallery - North Hokianga, NZ
Art Education
2013 Diploma (Level 7) of Art and Design, majoring in painting
2002 - 06 Diploma (level 6) of Art and Design, majoring in painting
Exhibitions, Shows and Awards
2025 Mahurangi Artist Gallery, Opening and Pop-up space
Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Art Salon
ArtinAugust Exhibition, Warkworth Hotel
Mahurangi Artist Network, Exhibition & Studio Trail
2024 Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Art Salon 2024
ArtinAugust Exhibition, Warkworth Hotel
Harbour Hospice Exhibition, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa
Mahurangi Artist Network, Exhibition and Studio Trail
2023 ArtinAugust Exhibition, Warkworth Hotel
2021 MAGS Artshow, Mount Albert Grammar School Art Show
2019 MAGS Artshow, Mount Albert Grammar School Art Show
2018 MAGS Artshow, Mount Albert Grammar School Art Show
NZ Garden Show, The Trusts Arena, Auckland
2017 Kohia Terrace School Art Exhibition, Mount Eden, Auckland
2016 NZ Art Show, Wellington
Womens Centre Rodney Art Exhibition, Matakana Country Park
2015 artMatakana Gallery, "Coast to Coast" Joint Exhibition
artMatakana Gallery, “It’s the Journey” Joint Exhibition
2014 Estuary Arts Centre, “Coterie group, exhibition” Orewa
2013 Great Summer Art Exhibition, Snells Beach
ArtMatakana Gallery, Group Exhibition,“The Creekers” Graduation Exhibition
Top Graduating Student Award (Level 7 Diploma of Art and Design 2013)
Warkworth Rotary Art Auction
2006 Top Graduating Student Award (Level 6, Diploma of Art and Design 2006)
NorthArt Gallery, Group Exhibition,‘In a world of their own
2004 Finalist, Pumphouse NorthShore Art Awards, “Sources of Inspiration” exhibition
2002 - 06 Hungry Creek Art School, Group Student Exhibitions