Saturday Night

It's strange being stuck in that in-between phase of being a teenager and becoming a young adult. Because I chose to drop out of school a year early and pursue my passions in the real world, I've felt an intense pressure to grow up really fast. This feeling of pressure comes mostly from myself, I know that the people around me don't have crazy expectations and they'll love and support me no matter what. But the standard I set for myself this year was pretty high.

I guess I didn't want to leave school to simply work at a cafe or supermarket (not that that's a bad thing). But I was well aware that I'd be cutting my childhood short by a year and possibly losing some of the friendships I cared deeply about. So, I knew that if I was going to leave all that behind and drop out it needed to be for a really good reason. I am proud of what I've achieved this year and I've even surprised myself with how productive I can be if I put my mind to something. I've learnt how to enjoy my own company again and be okay with solitude. I've learnt how to hustle and get my name out there, even if it involves stepping way out of my comfort zone. And I've learnt how to make money from doing what I love, for now at least.

But, there are still some days where I truly miss just being a teenager. I know that I'm still only seventeen but I almost feel guilty for doing normal teenage things now like going out on a Saturday night. Because in my mind it's not productive or moving towards completing a goal of mine. It's been so difficult to balance this new found love for being on my own and getting shit done with keeping up friendships from school. But I know that it's important and I feel so much better when there's a balance.

I saw my friends on Saturday night and it felt great to feel like a teenager again. I let myself have fun and not worry about the repercussions of having a late night, for once. It's nice to know that although I'm not physically at school anymore I can still fit back into my group and my friends still accept me. It might seem like I've changed a lot, to those I was close to in school. But in reality, I think this is what I was always like, I just somewhat suppressed it at school. My inner nosy side came out on Saturday night and went on a photo rampage, as River's house was full of many amazing 60's decorations and furniture pieces. I even had a good chat with his mum about her home decor. Some people probably find that weird, but that's my idea of balance.

I guess my point is that I'm finally accepting, after nearly six months of going it alone that I don't need to be one or the other. I can still go to parties and have fun as a teenager and then get work done and be creative as the young adult that I'm becoming.

Bella 🌼

Through The Kitchen Window - Business Cards

This month is flying by and progress on my upcoming exhibition, Through The Kitchen Window, is well underway. I've been through the process of planning and organizing an exhibition several times before, so you'd think I would have finally learnt how to manage my time and get things done efficiently. But alas, I seem to be repeating the past and delaying important steps due to my perfectionist nature.

I often consult with my Grandfather, Bruce, who is also a photographer and major perfectionist, himself. So, a task that could take a couple of days will take over a week with the two of us working on it. I keep reminding myself that although it can be stressful, it's always worth it. Being a perfectionist can be super annoying but also really rewarding once the job is done.

The latest progression for Through The Kitchen Window is my new business cards! I've had the same business cards of a similar format since my Lost In California Exhibition last year. A new updated version was well overdue. I can't believe how well they turned out and I'm super happy with the final design. Each card is the size of a postcard and features one of my prints from Through The Kitchen Window on the front. I selected some of my favourite pairings, that I hope will stand out and be eye-catching. On the back, I have my logo and contact information in the same colour scheme as my blog design.

It was super important to me for these business cards to reflect the look of my brand at the moment. Because last year my style was pretty confusing and I had no clear logo or even a brand name. I think it's important to have a cohesive look throughout all aspects of the brand I'm trying to create, including my art, writing and Depop too. So, these business cards are just perfect and I couldn't be more happy with them.

I got fifty cards of each design printed and I plan to scatter them throughout the city in any cafes or galleries that want them. I'll also have some available at my exhibition in July. If you'd like to get your hands on some of these postcards, flick me a message!
Read more about the collection here or get more info on my July exhibition here.

Bella 🌼

Things I'm Thinking About in June

The month of June is shooting by so fast it's scary, soon enough it'll be midway through the year and everything will start wrapping up. Following May, which was a really productive month for me, I've found June to be a bit difficult, if I'm perfectly honest. I'd like to blame it on the change of seasons, those cold nights in a house with no central heating. But I think possibly some days, weeks and months are just like that.

I've still been pottering away at several of my own projects and planning many more to come. One of the most exciting things that's in the works is a collaboration with one of my oldest and very best friends. I'm not going to delve into it too much just yet, but it's pretty exciting. I've never worked with anyone else on a creative project before, aside from small art assignments in school. So, this will be a great learning experience for both of us and a big step out of my comfort zone. I am definitely a self-confessed control freak and perfectionist, so it'll be interesting to start sharing a project with someone else.

The ball is well and truly rolling on my July exhibition with Ventana Creative Collective and Colombo Vineyard. I've been busy planning elements of this exhibition such as printing, media, framing and new business cards. It's all very exciting and very very expensive. I always seem to forget how much some of these things cost until I'm back in the thick of it again. I just need to remind myself that it's all worth it in the end and those small irritating expenses will be a big part of a hopefully successful show.

I always get nervous about a new exhibition, especially when it's a collection of photos I've never exhibited before. I start thinking, what if nobody likes them or wants to buy a print? Or worse, what if nobody even shows up? This anxious mindset is exhausting and sometimes I wish I could just turn it off and be excited instead. But I know that I'll be proud of myself once I get to opening night and see my new prints hanging on the walls of Colombo Vineyard. The exhibition, Through The Kitchen Window, opens on the 5th of July!



June has been another month full of creating, lots of photography, writing and design. It feels great to be writing on a regular basis again, even if nobody is reading it. It's just nice to feel like I've created something each day, a blog post or a small photo series. At the end of the day, it's all for me and my own creative goals, but it's always nice when people reach out and tell me they like what I'm creating too.

Something I've been putting a lot of my time and energy into is a very cool piece of writing for a very cool publication. I won't say too much right now, but it doesn't take a genius to work out what I'm referring to. It's been awesome giving myself a new writing challenge and stepping it up a notch from my usual Concrete Playground work, which I love, but it's not quite the same as having something physically published. I'll share more about this soon!

Overall, June has been productive. Some of the projects I'm working on are definitely slow burners, so it's more of a delayed gratification. But I'm excited to come out the other side and see the final products of some of these projects.

Bella 🌼

Through The Vines

A few years ago I never imagined that I would exhibit my photography anywhere, let alone a vineyard. I'm so excited to announce my third show with Ventana Creative Collective and their first exhibition since re opening this year. Opening on the 5th of July, my latest collection Through The Kitchen Window will be on show at Colombo Vineyard in Martinborough.

My family has a house in Martinborough, so we spend a lot of time over there and it has become a place of relaxation and holidays. I don't get over the hill much anymore but when I do it's bliss. We go for walks in the neighbouring vineyards, shop the second-hand stores in Masterton and end the day with a glass of wine and nibbles at Colombo Vineyard, my parents all time favourite spot. When they heard I would be exhibiting my latest collection there I think they were even more excited than me!

I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity to work with Ventana for the third time, and the first time since their change of ownership. It's so nice to feel supported by people who appreciate your work and want to help you grow your creative career. The team at Ventana have been supporting me for several years now and have been a huge help to me and my art career. So, I can't wait to collaborate with them again.

It will be amazing to finally see my new photos in print and hanging on the walls of Colombo. For me, Through The Kitchen Window is a series of images that create a sense of calm, the colours and tones are soft and almost pastel like. I can't wait to see how the scenery of the Colombo Vineyard compliments these images and how the public will respond to them.

If you're planning a trip to the Wairarapa in July or fancy an evening of good wine and art, Through The Kitchen Window is opening on the 5th of July, it's end date is yet to be confirmed. I also plan on sharing lots of behind the scenes progress updates on my blog, so stay tuned.
See the full collection here.

Bella 🌼

Sofa Blues

Welcome to my little fashion time capsule, featuring my best friend Fran. If there's anyone who understands my weird and wacky sense of style it's Fran and we've often bonded over this crazy aesthetic. I've been wanting to take photos with her for a while now but I couldn't find a good location to match the vision I had in my mind for this post. Then we found the room of sofas.
Sofa Blues is an edit that represents our love for retro style and funky kitsch colours. This over the top floral carpet just says it all.

Like me, Fran often enjoys experimenting with a mixture of 90s / early 2000s and retro style. She's a big fan of The Beatles but has also watched The OC several times over. I love the colours in Fran's outfit, especially the bright orange of her mesh vest top and puffa jacket. All of the pieces in Fran's look are either second hand or thrifted. She accessorizes with an orange floral headband and bright orange eye makeup to match.
Fran also wears black Doc Martens on her feet and asks that you please ignore her Nike socks!

I have so much fun experimenting with different looks and when I was at high school me and my friends became known for always having crazy colour coordinated outfits. There's just something so fun about matching colours together in a look, even when they clash. Fran's outfit is bright, bold and funky with orange and warm colours in her shirt and jacket. She tones this down with the white collared shirt underneath and light wash denim jeans. The vest over the collared shirt is one of my favourite easy retro looks and immediately makes any outfit look ten times more put together.

I'm super happy with how these photos turned out and I love the old school setting with the bright garish carpet and funky sofas. I can't wait to take more photos with Fran soon and share them on here, we have lots of fun ideas for creative projects we want to do together too. Watch this space!

Follow Fran here,
Instagram

Bella 🌼

The Gypsy Curation - Depop

(All prices have been converted to nzd at the current exchange rate as most sellers are from the US. All original listings have been linked in each description, any images belong to sellers.)
Items Listed Top Row to Bottom Row (left to right)

My current Depop wishlist is growing by the hour, there are so many clothes that I'm inspired by and loving at the moment. I'm still sticking with a style that mixes the 90s and early 2000s with a retro 70s vibe and beginning to transform my closet into my dream style. Recently, I've been loving funky coloured turtlenecks, something I've never really worn before. Bright green, yellow, blue and orange. I recently picked up a yellow turtleneck with big flared sleeves from another Depop seller, which I can't wait to style. I love layering pieces over turtlenecks too, a chunky vest or tee shirt looks so nice. It's a great way to add another element to any look and layer some of your favourite summer pieces, whilst still staying warm this winter.

I'm also obsessed with flared sleeves (what else is new), especially those that could be suitable for the Fleetwood Mac concert in September. Flared sleeves add such a funky retro twist to any outfit, even when paired with more modern pieces like a grommet belt. I love the balance between these two styles and I've curated twelve of my favourite pieces at the moment for you to drool over too. I am seriously tempted by that green stripey turtleneck...watch this space.

Vintage Green Striped Turtleneck - $18.25 nzd
The nicest turtleneck I've ever seen, I love the different shades of green and the slightly cropped cut, which would make it super easy to style with high waisted pants. I would love to layer different tee shirts and vests over this piece and match earrings to the different shades of green. Someone should really buy this before I do.

Green Juicy Couture Terry Cloth Dress - $63.87 nzd
This piece is a lot more pricey but very cool. I wouldn't usually be the first person to jump at a Juicy Couture item, but I love this piece. The fabric is a green terry cloth with a funky retro pattern. This dress is the perfect mix of 90s with 60s style and would look so good paired with some big chunky brown boots.

Vintage Brown Suede Boots - $18.25 nzd
I'm absolutely in love with these chunky suede boots and so sad they're several sizes too small for me. For only $18.25 nzd, these boots are a crazy good price and would look amazing with any retro style outfit, especially a maxi dress with big flared sleeves.

Pink Handmade Fluffy Flower Earrings - $8.00 nzd
These handmade earrings are so cute, super cheap and local, so no expensive shipping costs! Handmade by a Kiwi seller, these fluffy flower earrings would look so good with a pink-themed outfit and are a super unique accessory.

Brown Gypsy Bell Sleeve Top - $39.54 nzd
Probably my dream top and a serious candidate for the Fleetwood Mac outfit! I would style this amazing flared sleeve shirt tucked into some high-waisted flares with my big chunky boots. The sleeves are so floaty and pretty and I love the neutral earthy colour scheme that would go with just about anything.

Pink 1970s Striped Flares - $98.84 nzd
Such amazing vintage flares from America, they're fairly expensive but so worth it, if they're your size. These would be the perfect pair of statement pants and would look amazing with a simple white floaty top and big boots. I love groovy pants like these and they're great for special occasions, as they can be dressed up really easily.

Vintage 1970s Great Wall Tee - $182.48 nzd
Although I would never fork out this kind of cash for a tee shirt, I so wish that I could. This epic vintage 70s baby tee is so cute and would look amazing with a funky patterned collared shirt underneath. Made from a terry cloth material, with vintage green and red 'I have climbed the great wall' text across it.

90s Does 70s Mesh Daisy Dress - $31.93 nzd
My Depop curation wouldn't be complete without a classic 90s does 70s piece. This mesh mini dress is so cute and has the funkiest colour scheme. If I owned this piece, I would style it with a white collared shirt underneath and some brightly coloured tights.

Acrylic Retro Daisy Earrings - $15.44 nzd
For a cheaper equivalent to my favourite MindFlowers earrings, these acrylic daisies are such a good statement accessory. I love any retro floral earrings and these are some of my favourites. With a simple colour palette, you could style these earrings with literally any outfit.

Groovy 1970s Bright Green Shorts - $22.81 nzd
If I suited big baggy shorts and I was brave enough to style them, I would wear these every day! These shorts would be a great statement piece, with a flared sleeve shirt tucked in and some platform sandals for a retro summery look. This bright green colour is one of my absolute favourites and goes so well with orange and yellow accessories.

Brown Patchwork Off The Shoulder Bell Sleeve Top - $38.61 nzd
Another possible candidate for the concert, I adore the vintage patchwork design on this shirt, and although I'm not usually a fan of off the shoulder tops, I love it in this context. Then, of course, it has big bell sleeves, what more could I ask for?

Slime Green Knit Tank - $35.00 nzd
I would love to style this green knitted tank over a collared shirt, especially one with a crazy bright pattern. I love having simple basics like this in my closet because they're so great for layering or throwing on when you can't be bothered putting too much effort into a look. Plus, this slime green colour is an absolute dream.

Bella 🌼

Our Mind Flowers

Have you ever seen such amazing and funky 70s style earrings? Gorgeous colours, hand made and all the way from the US, MindFlowers is a small business run by creative genius and designer, Olivia Cupp. Each piece is crafted by Olivia herself in her home studio, she uses ethical and sustainable practices to create a brand worth supporting.

I'm not gonna lie, the MindFlowers earrings are expensive, especially getting them shipped to New Zealand. But the upside is that they aren't mainstream here, they're special pieces that barely anyone else will own. I weighed up whether investing in a pair was a good financial decision for a few weeks. I eventually came to the conclusion that it probably wasn't, so I bought two pairs.

I wouldn't usually splash out on such an expensive purchase, but I love supporting small business', especially those who are prioritizing such important things. MindFlowers creates conscious accessories to power your flower. Their designs are bold, colourful, psychedelic and very retro-inspired. They're made to empower those who wear them and make the wearer feel just as bold and colourful as their accessories.

I can now confidently say that they were well worth the money, I absolutely adore them. Not only is the quality of the make exceptional, but the whole presentation of the product when it arrived was so gorgeous. My two pairs, 'The Candy Daisy Stud' and 'The Hazey Dazey Dot And Chain' came in a cute little box branded with their signature sticker. I also received a complimentary sticker of my own, I'm still waiting to find the perfect place to put it.
I've been wearing my new favourite earrings on rotation since they arrived and have found they go with just about all of my clothes and add a funky retro twist to any outfit.

The MindFlowers brand is inclusive, expressive and original. They use locally sourced and recycled materials to create their beautiful products and believe in creating funky jewellery for funky people. Fortunately for me but unfortunately for my bank account, this will not be my last MindFlowers purchase. These are a few of my favourite products from my MindFlowers wishlist.


(These images have been sourced from the MindFlowers Instagram page and website)

The Candy Daisy Daisy Stud Earrings in White & Canary
The Nova Butterfly Chain Earrings in Transparent Orange
The MindFlower Dot & Chain Earrings in Transparent Orange

See more of their products below, including their latest collection 'She's In The Band' full of 70s
rock n roll inspired chain belts, charms and earrings.
Mind Flowers Online
Instagram

Bella 🌼

Analogue - Counter Journal

Counter Journal, a new Wellington-based publication full of fresh ideas, talented creatives and that authentic Kiwi touch. You might remember my gushing article on their Pilot issue last month, so you can imagine how pleased I was to come home to my very own copy of their official first issue, complete with a personal note from Zack and Bon.

The theme of this issue is Analogue, with articles ranging from the art of vinyl pressing and film photography to thoughtful pieces on social media and the technology age. This topic can be difficult to write and read about. Especially as a young person, you can quickly begin to feel defensive, thinking, it's not my fault that story books have been replaced with kindles, clocks transformed into iPhones and the trusty notebook nowhere to be found. But the Counter Journal contributors discuss this topic in a fresh and more understanding way. They're not trying to tell you that technology is bad, a lot of them admit to relying on it in a big way themselves. Instead, their encouraging readers to consider a different perspective on life, with less emphasis on screens and more on paper, vinyl, film and print.

Although I'm very much a part of the technology age and both me and my brother find a large gap in our family photo albums as film cameras were forgotten in a new world of digital. I still find myself relying on more traditional methods for my everyday life. I simply can't bring myself to write an online diary, it just doesn't feel right. I can recognize the overall convenience of having all of your info readily available on your smartphone, sitting in your pocket or handbag 24/7. But there's something about a pen and paper that can never be replicated with a screen. Every day I sit down with my best 0.3 pigment liner and my favourite notebook from The Moma Design Store in New York, and I write. I make lists, write goals and ideas. I carry this book with me and I'm constantly scribbling down new thoughts as the day goes on. I suppose it's counter-intuitive, given that I write so much on my blog, but I love the romantic nature of a notebook.

I started my vinyl collection in 2017, and although my pastel blue Crosley record player from eBay never worked right, I enjoyed just simply having vinyl. My Dad purchased a proper record player and sound system for his birthday a few years ago. It sits proudly on the sideboard at the back of our house, protected by a thick layer of bulletproof glass (or so he says...) I was expressly forbidden to use the record player when having friends over and I probably would've been put up for adoption if someone had used his Smashing Pumpkins record as a coaster. But now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time my Dad actually sat down and listened to his record player. I think maybe he just likes the idea of having it too.

With technology literally taking over the world as we speak, I think it's so important to hang onto those classic and familiar practices, like reading a book, listening to a record or picking up a pen. One article that really stood out to me in Counter Journal was Brick by Brick written by Araina Kazia Pereira. Araina writes about the importance of teaching children creativity and problem-solving skills from a young age, and not with an iPad.

I grew up with so much Lego, our house was a constant sea of brightly coloured bricks. We also played with Humdinger, an educational wooden toy that seems to have vanished from children's toy boxes for good. I remember the soft feel of the wood, with all of the little carved holes and grooves. But most of all I remember how good it smelt. You simply can't create those feelings with an iPad, the touch, the smell and the memories associated with specific toys cannot be recreated through a screen.

It sounds silly but I truly think that playing with Lego shaped me and my brothers' personalities as kids. It taught us how to work together, solve problems and be creative. We would spend hours in the playroom setting up bases and little villages, combined with my Sylvanian Families collection and some plasticine models with very fragile limbs.

I personally value the simple things in life so much more than my iPhone or laptop. I will always journal and write lists on paper, my love for print will never die and my vinyl collection will continue to grow. I admire those people who are dedicating their time, energy and money to keeping those things alive. Zack and Bon are carefully creating a work of art, it feels good, it smells good and it looks really good. It isn't digital and you can hold it, read it, stack it, collage with it and keep it forever.

Counter Journal Issue One is in stores now and can be found at locations in Wellington such as The Axe, Minerva, Unity Books and a range of cafes including Tomboy Cakery, Prefab and Frank's.

Counter Journal Online
Instagram

Bella 🌼

The Colour Study - 5th June

Today I took four buses, went to eight thrift stores and ate one Tim-tam biscuit brownie slice. It's been raining since I woke up, but I decided that I wouldn't let that stop me from getting outside and going for an adventure.

I used to hate being alone, I found it utterly boring, being alone with my own thoughts and nobody to keep me company. But since leaving school, I've had to practice enjoying that alone time, because there is so much of it. I spend the majority of my week by myself until my family comes home after work. I see my friends and Ben on the weekend but Bella time has become the new norm. However, I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I actually like planning my day, sticking my headphones in and having complete control over where I go and what I get up to.

I took my first bus to Newtown and visited the thrift stores, including the very new Aunty Dana's Op Shop that opened on Saturday. It's so great to see more second-hand clothing stores emerging around Wellington. I stopped by the post office, got my hair very wet in the rain and then hopped on my next bus to town.

I was learning how to drive earlier this year and planned on getting my restricted licence, but slowly the habit started fizzling out. I find driving stressful and ultimately unenjoyable, especially when it's with a driving instructor who constantly tells you about his wife's cancer treatments. I've come to the conclusion that although it can be inconvenient, claustrophobic and a bit icky, I'll just take the bus. I quite like being driven around, because I can sit back and watch the world go by, people watching as each wet and soggy person ambles onto the bus. Plus, I'm nosy and what better way to catch random pieces of conversation from people you'll probably never see again in your life. I enjoy imagining what their houses look like or if they're a dog or a cat person. Is that weird?

Then I finally arrived in Karori after being squished next to a man in a big puffy coat for what seemed like an hour (yes-I love the bus...) It was freezing and I was very wet, but I made my way around four more op-shops before calling in quits. I resided in a small cake shop that was playing a very old radio station and enjoyed a decadent Tim-tam slice. This would not usually be my first choice, in fact, I don't actually like Tim-tams. But, it looked amazing and it tasted even better.

The bus ride home was my favourite, it was long and peaceful, I sat at the very back of the bus and stared out the window at the soaking streets of Wellington. It was a good day. It was one of those days that I'll probably forget in a year or two because it wasn't all that important. But at least I left the house.

Bella 🌼

Through The Kitchen Window

'Gold Dust Woman'


'Yellow Submarine'


'Crocodile Rock'


'Nostalgia'


'Cinnamon Girl'


'Sunny'


'Hotel California'


'Keep On Truckin'


'Crimson And Clover'


'Through The Kitchen Window'


'Brown Sugar'

'Through The Kitchen Window'
Travel back to the 70s through the funkiest retro homes, cars and corners in Wellington!

It's finally here, the fully refined and oh-so 70's collection that has been in the works for most of the year. 'Through The Kitchen Window' has been blossoming ever since my first 2019 collection came out, 'Shirley's House'. I was hit with a wave of inspiration after spending a few days at my 96-year-old great grandmothers' house, an absolute 70's time capsule. Everything about the 70's had me hooked and I knew I wanted my next collection to be bright, colourful, funky and very retro.

My first shoot was at the cutest little house in Lyall Bay, a place that my Mum took me to, and amazingly I was allowed to take photos. It was small and very kitsch, with bright lime and canary yellow walls. The yellow Formica table and orange and green kitchen cabinets were just a snippet of this house full of funky treasures. I was dreadfully sick with a cold at the time and forced myself to charge my battery and lug my camera along to the house at an open home later in the day. Everything about this place was a photo waiting to be taken. This first location definitely set the new collection off to a good start and gave me a distinct colour palette to work in. My favourite image from the shoot is in 'Crocodile Rock', the little chilli plant against the green stripey picket fence.

For a while after that I was a little lost with where I wanted these photos to go, I knew I needed more material but had no clue where I would find it. I had my Mum on the lookout for homes that she or her colleagues might be selling. But I was far too picky and when there was a suitable location, some tenants didn't want the contents of their home photographed by a strange 17-year-old girl, fair enough.

So, on a whim I decided to go for a walk around my suburb at sunset, hauling my camera along with me and my schnauzer dog to keep me company. The way that the pinky blue sky illuminated the buildings and houses on my street, it was as if I was seeing them for the first time. So I started clicking. Then I ventured down smaller side-streets and discovered that this light would reflect off windows and curtains in such a way that created the most glorious warm glow. I felt like a creep, peering through strangers windows with my lense. I hoped that Jock the dog made me look slightly less suspicious. This is when I decided on the name for my collection, 'Through The Kitchen Window'.

Several months passed and I took the odd picture in town, a bright green building, a funky old sofa in The Salvation Army or the retro lights in Aro Video. I was constantly on the lookout for my next shoot location and I had my 'photo eyes' peeled at all times. Because I like to pair two images together to create my final work, it means collecting a lot of material. I'll play around with pairings and colour combinations for hours, until I even start to confuse myself. I'm also a perfectionist, so if one shade of orange doesn't quite match, I'll scrap it. This created a rather frustrating time period of switching and swatching as I tried to create my final pairings. I was really happy with the images I was creating, but I felt like the story I was trying to tell didn't have its perfect ending just yet.

Then, about two weeks ago I discovered Steph's kitchen. The most glorious little 70's kitchen with bright floral wallpaper, orange cabinets and a green mini fridge. This was the final piece of the puzzle and 'Through The Kitchen Window' was complete.

I spent the last few days doing my final re-arrangements and re-edits, then my favourite part of the process, coming up with names for each piece. I knew that I wanted to go down the 60's and 70's theme for the titles, fun little play on words or phrases that people would recognize. So I spent hours delving into google for the smash hits of the 70's and well-known TV shows from the swinging 60's.
I had so much fun with this and I love the final titles, my personal favourites are 'Keep On Truckin', for obvious reasons and 'Crocodile Rock' because the shades of green in this pairing remind me of a cartoon crocodile, so it was very suited.

Overall, I'm so pleased with these final images and I can't wait to see them in print. I have a super exciting show in the works at the moment, I'll speak more about that in the next few weeks. Although I feel that 'Through The Kitchen Window' is a story that has finally earned its perfect ending, I would love to explore this theme and style more. The 60's and 70's are still huge inspirations for me and I want to continue exploring and discovering more hidden gems throughout Wellington.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this new series, or if you have any questions about purchasing these prints, flick me an email at bellafosterblog@gmail.com.

Bella 🌼

The Art Review - NZ Art Show 2019

The NZ Art Show this year has officially blown me away, the quality of the work I saw at the show was amazing and so inspiring. I attended the Gala Evening on Thursday night, a chance for friends, sponsors and ticket buyers to get first dibs on all of the artwork. There were drinks and nibbles, live music, lots of people and lots of excellent artwork. I've been part of three shows now, but have never gone along to a Gala Evening. It was a bustling night of excitement as people put little red sold dots on their favourite pieces, nabbing them before anyone else could.

I sold 'Heat Wave' and 'The Mummy' to two lovely girls who took the time to talk to me about my work and tell me why they liked it so much, which was amazing. It was so nice actually meeting buyers and having a conversation with them. It means so much to me for anyone to even stop and look at my work, let alone buy it.

We spent a good couple of hours weaving through the maze of carefully hung artwork and admiring the incredible range of artists and styles on show. There were so many pieces that I loved but I wanted to compile a few of my absolute favourites into this post. These four artists were the stand-outs for me and there were aspects of all of their art that I would love to apply to my own work. For me, it's all about colour and when you're surrounded by so much incredible art, those pieces that simply pop off the wall and speak to me are bright, bold and original.

The NZ Art Show is still on for two more days at The TSB Arena in Wellington. So, if you're in the city stop by and check it out, there's a world of crazy cool and inspirational art to be discovered and a chance to support emerging kiwi artists!



Anthony Gordon
I've never seen acrylic paint used in such an effective way. I love the way this looks, the flat colours and almost cartoon-like shapes. I attempted to paint like this with acrylic for my school portfolio last year and found it so tricky to get those flat colours, without a single hint of brush-strokes. I love the colour palette that the artist has used throughout all of his works, I'm not sure if they are intended to go together as a series but they all compliment each other so well. My personal favourite was the very Wes Anderson like pink building on the top right, gives me major Grand Budapest Hotel vibes! I love the way he used a gradient of yellow paint to allude to light shining from a window, something that is so difficult to achieve and he has pulled it off so well.



Tanya Blong
Another absolutely dreamy use of acrylic. I was immediately drawn to Tanya's work as I painted with almost identical subject matter for my school portfolio last year. I loved painting the human figure but found it to be so much more interesting when the figures were wearing bathers, as opposed to clothes. This allowed me to really work on the shape of the body and create soft curves, uninterrupted by the random textures of clothing. However, Tanya paints her figures in a very different way to me, but I love it. She uses her brush in a much looser way, blending colours together to create a beautiful pink hue on the skin. I especially love the painting in the second image. The way her body is framed by the lush greenery of the palms and her reflection beneath her in the water.
Tanya's work was nearly all sold out when I went back to The Art Show yesterday, so get in quick if you want to check it out!



Claire Mcguinness
One thing I've never been able to paint successfully is human faces, I find it infuriatingly impossible. So Claire's work has me both stunned and very jealous. I love the simplicity of the colour blocked backgrounds, drawing all your attention to the face and the soft tones of the skin. I'm definitely more drawn to portraiture when it's a bit more abstract than photo realistic. Whilst both are incredible, I find there's a certain level of predictability that comes with super realistic paintings. Claire's work is the perfect balance between the two. I adore her use of soft colours, with pops of bright turquoise and green. She simplifies some features, in order to make others stand out, which is so effective.





Mahani Del Borrello
My personal favourite of all the work I saw at this year's show was Mahani's. It sits in prime position as you walk through the entrance to the show, her four images on display grabbed me instantly. I guess it's pretty obvious why I adore her work so much. The colours, the subject matter, the compositions and overall simplistic beauty. Her images definitely have that distinct Californian feel to them, which will always entice me. She works with strong lines and geometric shapes to frame her compositions, leading your eye across the work and guiding you to the intended focal point. I especially love the red shipping containers, with the gorgeous pinky blue sunset colours in the background. I have no idea how she creates such amazing images, or what she does to manipulate them post-production, but I absolutely love it!

Bella 🌼