I can’t think of a sweeter place to show my abstract florals than my favourite go-to spot—gorgeous Makana Chocolate Cafe. All the joy you want—delicious chocolates, divine coffee, sublime wine, and sugar-free artworks to tickle and delight. All paintings, on show and bonus extras, can be viewed and purchased in my online store, here>>
Since its opening in April 2016, Makana Chocolate Café has displayed a series of small shows of original and new works by local, Bay of Islands, artists.
Smell the Roses celebrates the transcendent power of nature’s floral love-embued bouquets. Created with passion and infused with love the palette embodies pinks, lavenders, ethereal warm whites, sunny yellows Smell the Roses celebrates the transcendent power of nature’s floral love-embued bouquets. Created with passion and infused with love the palette embodies pinks, lavenders, ethereal warm whites, sunny yellows and sweet chocolate browns.
For me, it’s the gentle blush of a fragrant rose in bloom. The unfolding of a magnolia dripping with rain in winter. The scent of a fragrant orchid prolifically flowering in damp conditions. It’s the smile of a baby in a dress blooming with pink rosebuds blowing me a kiss. And chocolates—lots of chocolates!
Created both as the world was reeling from the economic, physical and emotional fallout of Covid-19, and as we gradually embrace a new normal, the Smell The Roses collection embraces GO-LOV 20, the antidote to fear offered by Neuroscientist Dr Joe Dispenza. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Without love, what is there?
Layered in soft, sultry glazes Smell the Roses speaks to the heart. All paintings, on show and bonus extras, can be viewed and purchased in my online store, here>>
Smell The Roses: Tuesday 4 May 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Showing 7 days until end June 2021.
Makana Chocolate Café, 504 Kerikeri Road. Kerikeri, Bay of Islands
All paintings, on show and bonus extras, can be viewed and purchased in my online store, here>>
Past and upcoming artist exhibitions.
I’m super excited about our upcoming exhibition group exhibition, “Return To Love” featuring abstract paintings by Cassandra Gaisford, botanical photography by Jane Ussher and sculpture by Grant Gallager. At Art@Rangitane, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. All paintings can be viewed and purchased in my online store. International shipping available.
Return to Love opens Easter Friday, 02 April 11 am to 3.00pm. Showing weekends until Anzac Day, Monday 26 April 2021.
Please join us for a live Instagram interview on Easter Friday 4.00pm.
The exhibition’s name is a reference to the importance of love, beauty and art in these chaotic times and how needful it is for our mental health and resilience to have this love-inspired beauty around us.
You are invited to join us for nibbles and drinks to celebrate this exhibition on opening day – so save the date! Social distancing will be easily observed in the expansive lawn in front of the gallery if need be.
Works can also be viewed and purchased on my online store.
BIO: JANE USSHER
Jane Ussher is one of New Zealand’s foremost portrait photographers.
In January 2009, at the invitation of Antarctic New Zealand and the Antarctic Heritage Trust, she travelled to the Antarctic and spent over four weeks on the ice photographing the historic huts of Scott and Shackleton. These images have since been published in her landmark book Still Life.
Jane’s other books include the award-winning Coast: A New Zealand Journey; Face to Face: Conversations with Remarkable New Zealanders; Worship: A History of New Zealand Church Design; Islands; A New Zealand Journey and The New Zealand Horse.
2021 saw the publication of four more books one of which, Nature-Stilled, is a finalist in the Ockham NZ Book Awards.
In 2009 Jane was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to photography and was inducted into the Massey University Hall of Fame.
The image exhibited is from an unpublished ongoing series called BOTANICS. This is the first time that these large-framed prints have been available for sale.
BIO: GRANT GALLAGHER
Grant Gallagher is a sculptor who lives and practices art in Kerikeri, Far North. He has maintained
his art practice for over 40 years while working in the media and advertising
Industries as an art and creative director but has only exhibited rarely.
1984 at Red Metro Gallery,Dunedin.2011 at Artis/Ocula Gallery, Auckland.
2012 at Snake Pit as part of the Rob Garrett curated exhibition ‘Lost in a Dream’
for Auckland Art Week.
See more of his work at ggallaghercreative.com
BIO: CASSANDRA GAISFORD
Cassandra is an award-winning abstract artist, transpersonal art therapist, author, and Reiki master. She infuses all her work with positive energy and light.
She was the supreme winner of the Wai Art Awards, and a finalist in the Adam’s Portrait award. Having participated in various overseas workshops including a Sumi–E ink painting workshop in Hawaii with ex-pat artist, Max Gimblett, her latest works embrace the simplicity of pleasure and personal experiences that create flow and incite joy. Her works are held in private collections nationally and internationally.
As an intuitive artist with a passion for following her ‘inner joy’, she hopes her work captures and celebrates the ‘life-giving’ aspects of art, and leaves viewers with a feeling of pleasure, contentment and peace.
Feedback from collectors
“Your work speaks to my soul in a major way.”
“The pieces inspire such positive feelings.”
“Wow! So amazing to see your pieces in reality. They have so much life in them.”
“Your work has a magical, spiritual quality. I just love them. Really love them.”
You can view and purchase her art here: www.cassandragaisford.com/gallery
“One word frees us from the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”
~ Sophocles
RETURN TO LOVE: OPENING TIMES
Easter Friday 02 April, 11am to 3pm
Saturday, 03 April, 11am to 3pm
Sunday, 04 April, 11am to 3pm
Easter Monday 05 April, 11am to 3pm
Thereafter all WEEKENDS, 11am to 3pm
Exhibition closes ANZAC Day, 11am to 3pm
Exhibitions
- 100 x 100 Art Show 2021, Kerikeri
- Bliss, Pure Day Spa, 2021
- The Beauty of Resilience (group exhibition) Little Black Gallery, 2020
- Koast, 2018, 2019,
- Wai Art 2008
- The Adam Portrait Award and Exhibition, Wellington 21 February – 01 April 2008
- Joy’ance (group exhibition) – 28 Aug – 5 Sept, 2008
- The Affordable Art Show, May 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
- Maypole Gallery and Design, February -June 2008
- Millwood Gallery, November 2006, 2008, 2010
