New Artist: Introducing Kirsty Nixon!

A ‘one degree of separation’ between us came to light as she grew up on the street that I now live and her family had baches around the Coromandel – her brother was even born in Thames.  Having this connection is one of the important factors I look for in new artists for the gallery as we maintain our standard of having 80-90% of the artists based on the Coromandel or they have a strong connection with the area.  This is also evident in the work Kirsty has chosen to exhibit with the gallery – realistic impressions of The Coromandel, looking out to sea from a farm.  Clients can relate to the work and will recognise the area.  Maybe they have also stood in the same spot that Kirsty chose to paint?

Coromandel Islands by Kirsty Nixon

Kirsty brings a different style to the gallery providing landscapes from the other side of the peninsular and also using plants to add colour and depth to the painting.  This also gives an impression that you are viewing the coastline through the foliage, respecting the serenity of the beach.

Late afternoon, Coromandel by Kirsty Nixon

Kirsty Nixon began painting and exhibiting in the late 1980s as a successful watercolour artist.  In 1994 Kirsty began capturing the vibrant personality of the New Zealand landscape on canvas. This style was greatly received and prompted Kirsty to leave her career as an art director in advertising to paint full-time. Her contribution to the New Zealand landscape is fresh and distinctly modern and her work hangs in private collections throughout New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, Ireland, the UK and America.  She mainly uses acrylics now as she enjoys the freedom they give her and impact they make.

She was selected as one of the artists to paint a giant egg for the Starship fundraiser seen throughout New Zealand in its inaugural year in 2014 and 2015.

She currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband and two wonderful children who seem to happily tolerate canvases at various stages of completion throughout the house.

 

Enjoyed this article? Sign up to our newsletter below and be the first to hear about our latest Art Chat posts!