Lilfe + Style 14 October 2016

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Design dreams See page 2

THE WEEKEND

Featuring

Home & living | Penguin passion | Fashion | Art & creativity

2

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 14August, October, 2016

Telling a story through furniture design Stepping inside The Design Depot is like reading a great novel. The Mount Maunganui showroom goes beyond the physical space to tell a story.

It’s a story that customers are truly participating in.

Each chair, lampshade and rug is perfectly put together to create an atmosphere for customers, making it easy to visualise that gorgeous wooden tabletop or leather lounge suite in a living room at home.

Inside the store you’ll find a beautiful standalone sofa is complemented by a rug and the texture of the rug contrasts with the fabric of the sofa. The sofa, the rug, the accessories, textures and colours – they all work together to complete the look.

“We furnish for lifestyle,” says The Design Depot store manager and interior designer Deborah Moore.

“Particularly in the Bay of Plenty, people are here for that relaxing lifestyle and furniture has to relate to that.”

This edgy inspirational store stocking furniture, homewares, lighting and bed linen is every homeowners dream.

Raylene Marsh opened The Design Depot Hamilton store in 2011 and saw an opportunity in Mount Maunganui for a second store, opening in June last year. Her vision for the store was something a little different than the standard.

She envisaged a store offering unique pieces and the full design experience.

Specialising in design consultations, product sourcing and bringing uniqueness to every home, The Design Depot’s products are expertly and creatively merchandised to inspire and showcase quality and exclusive local and global brands.

“That’s what set us apart,” says Larisa Cochrane of The Design Depot. “We hunt out unique products from international suppliers, often heading to trade fairs in Europe and Asia for the latest look.

“But we’re also very big supporters of New Zealand manufacturers, and we’re proud of that.”

What’s trending currently is an organic textural look, says Deborah.

“It’s bringing in all your different elements like wood, stones, metals and very earthy colours. Soft corals are also on trend with inky blues.”

But if that’s not your style, The Design Depot team is skilled in helping customers find the right furniture and fabrics for their home.

They’re more than just a retail store, with staff

boasting expert knowledge in interior design.

“Deborah has 15 years’ experience and she’s very good at what she does,” says Larisa.

“The advantage of having a retail store is we can showcase a lot of products to our interior design customers, but also use our experience to find unique pieces for them that we might not have on the floor.

“With our experience and interior design service, we can help guide customers to the right products that aesthetically look great but are also functional, practical, and fit your budget.

“That’s really important to us. We take pride in getting it right for people, often making a trip to a customer’s home to really make sure.”

Deborah says their vast fabric library opens up options to customers for custom products. Items can be made in expensive or modestly-priced fabrics, giving customers a beautiful NZ-made chair at a price that won’t break the budget.

Backed with exceptional customer service it is easy to see why The Design Depot is a constant winner of local and national awards for outstanding retail excellence.

The Design Depot is a previous NZ Top Shop Awards winner and are the recent winners of the NZ Interiors Design Awards part of the Waikato Home and Garden Show last weekend.

Experience the story or find a regular inspirational Zoe Hunter fix at The Design Depot today.

Photos: Chris Callinan

Furnishing for lifestyle

14 October, 2016

For the love of penguins Julia Graham on local flippers and the Rena “I don’t do this for the publicity. I only do it for the penguins.”

Julia Graham, spearhead of the Western Bay Wildlife Trust, is unbelievably passionate about the fuzzy little blue penguins.

So much so that when Rena hit the reef five years ago, Julia stopped her university presentation mid-way through and left to help.

“I was at university studying environmental management and penguins were actually my major project, so I knew all the penguins were there.”

Rena hit Astrolabe Reef 12 nautical miles off Tauranga and grounded in the early hours of October 5, 2011, and created an unbelievable mess to clean up, including covering more than 300 penguins in oil.

“When Rena hit, it was actually kind of funny because that day, that very day that it hit, I had to stand in class and give my penguin presentation, and part of it was about oil spills,” says Julia.

“I remember standing there, giving this PowerPoint presentation, looking at everyone, and I got to the part about oil spills and I was like: ‘Why are we here? We need to go, I have to go’.”

Julia started by helping where she could, just like everyone else. But soon that wasn’t enough for Julia, she knew she could be doing more.

So Julia teamed up with grey faced petrel surveyors Paul Cuming and Tim Short, and

the two started night expeditions to save the birds.

“Between us we started going out at night to rescue our birds, because there was all of this daytime stuff being done but no night rescue, and all of the birds that we knew were nocturnal.”

Julia would work all day, then she would go out at night to save her birds.

“We ended up leading teams every month, and during the day we led teams cleaning the rocks.”

Cleaning the rocks was of particular importance, says Julia, as that was where the birds lived, bred, and would die if the oil stayed.

“The top of the rock would look clean, but you bend down and look under it and it was just a pool of oil.”

She says the seemingly endless days and nights cleaning rock, penguin, and everything in between paid off in the end.

“It was worth it though, especially that first penguin release [November 22, 2011]. It was just a moment where, I think I just cried like a baby really. And to see them now when I’m out monitoring, when I find the Rena ones I always look at them and go: ‘Yeah it was worth it’ because here you are right in front of me – healthy as, feisty as, ready to defend your territory’.

“They’re very full of character, every one of them is different.”

And Julia says that just because the Rena mess has been cleaned up, that doesn’t mean people can stop taking care of the environ-

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

“People spent so long cleaning this place that they are never going to forget it, and they will always want to defend it”

ment and save the penguins. “Once people are involved, once you’ve put your hand into Mauao and have planted a tree, or picked up that bit of rubbish under a rock that you never saw was there because you’ve never looked under a rock before, there’s a community spirit.

“People spent so long cleaning this place that they are never going to forget it, and they will always want to defend it.”

Helping is easy. “Get involved with your local environment groups and the Western Bay Wildlife Trust, pick up rubbish on the beach, every little bit helps. Rubbish will kill a penguin just as quickly as an oil spill.

“Make wise choices in everyday life from a consumer’s point of view, turn of a light switch – that’s a simple one! Even if it’s going to one event a year and picking up a bit of rubbish – every little bit helps. All of these things that you do will contribute.”

For more information and to help, visit www.westernbaywildlife.nz Cayla-Fay Saunders JOIN THE LEISURE TIME TOURS TRAVEL CLUB Receive discounts on day trips and concert connections.

Quarterly newsletters with latest information, tours and updates.

Meet new people in a relaxed social setting whilst taking in the views.

Annual fee single membership $15 (plus $10 one-off joining fee).

Call the office for more information or to join the club

Fully Escorted Day Trips & Extended Tours across NZ & around the World

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH LEISURE TIME TOURS

NEW YEAR TOUR, 8 days 27 Dec - 3 January 2017 Why not celebrate the New Year exploring the lower North Island?

During this 8 day tour, we explore Napier, Masterton and New Plymouth, enjoying attractions including Huka Falls, Gannet Safaris, Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, Castlepoint Lighthouse, Pukekura Park Festival of Lights, and Puke Ariki.

Only $2500.00 per person twin share.

Selling fast! Book your seat today!

PIC TO COME CENTRE

WAITANGI WEEKEND, 4 days, 04 - 07 February 2017 Every year on Waitangi Day, 6 February, New Zealanders of all communities, backgrounds and creeds gather to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi. On this 4 day tour, we travel up to the beautiful Bay of Islands, spend some time in Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri. The highlight of the trip is celebrating Waitangi Day at the treaty grounds where we witness Māori cultural performances, speeches from Māori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries, and a naval salute are all part of the annual activities at Waitangi.

Only $1690.00 per person twin share

Call to join today 0800 365 632

info@lttnz.co.nz

www.leisuretimetours.co.nz

4

14August, October, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Summer is on its way Ladies, it’s almost time to start packing away your cosy winter jumpers and start pulling out the bright colours, statement prints and floaty fabrics. Pair ethereal sheer tops with block colours on your feet and slip on a statement necklace. A personalised floating charms necklace or chunky pattern will help ground your look.

Lemonade Fashions on the Deck has a fabulous range of Malcolm Peters Vivid Collection.

Langtons Lingerie on Grey St has a great range of robes for the warmer the season.

Memories Shoes at Bethlehem Shopping Centre has a beautiful range of summer footwear.

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

14 October, 2016 21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

Funky leather sandal and cobalt blue leather hand bag.

White lace up boot, perfect for spring. From Maggie J Shoes, 35 Grey St, Tauranga.

Stunning Stow Lockets, available from Molyneux Jewellers.

Pictured: Wedding Gift set and Cherished Family set.

Follow us on Facebook www.indeliblegiftware.co.nz

S1641krIndelible

Colourful Kazuri necklaces and lace scarves from Indelible, Devonport Rd, Tauranga.

6

October, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 2114August, 2015

Art attack Developing passionate Picassos There is one piece of advice that ACG Tauranga teacher Leana Buxton passes on to all her students: Never give up.

Photos: Bruce Barnard

An accomplished artist in her own right and a recent finalist of the prestigious 2016 Miles Art Award, the 32-year-old is a testament to her own advice. Lacking natural artistic skill, but with plenty of passion, Leana says a career in art was not a clearcut path.

“I wasn’t the best artist at school and it wasn’t until after high school that I made the decision to do a Bachelor of Media Arts. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in art and design that I found I was passionate about it and developed my skills.”

It’s this kind of real-world approach Leana brings to her teaching – encouraging students that if they truly want to become an artist natural talent isn’t enough.

“I say to the children: ‘You know, even if you don’t feel that passionate about it or feel that you lack ability, art is something that you can practise and learn’.

“If you do a ‘bad drawing’, it’s actually a good thing – from that we can figure out why this particular drawing isn’t working and how we can improve on that to grow.

“Everything you do has a purpose and is a learning opportunity.”

Leana herself is always seeking new ways to grow and develop her art, through opportunities such as the Miles Art Award. The biennial event is an opportunity for artists in the Bay of Plenty to submit their art works for the premiere award, judged by artist, curator and writer Ane Tonga.

The finalists are currently being shown in a curated exhibit at Tauranga Art Gallery until October 16.

Leana, an abstract-expressionist painter, entered a piece equally focused on the construction of the artwork as the image itself – something she was captivated by during her time at university.

“I look at events such as this as an opportunity to diversify,” she explains.

“I got great satisfaction out of the construction aspect at university, so for this piece I sourced macrocarpa timber from a local yard and – with the help of my father-in-law – made the frame for

Our point of difference Our point of difference — —

Peace of mind.

Peace of mind.

Guaranteed Guaranteed For most people, building a new home or taking on a renovation is a

major event. We recognise the level of trust our customers place in For most people, building a new home or taking on a renovation is a us and we’ll do everything we can to make it a rewarding experience. major event. We recognise the level of trust our customers place in ushave and we’ll everything we make it partnering a rewardingwith experience.

We alsodo strengthened ourcan offertothrough Lloyd’s of London to provide further support in the form of enhanced We have also strengthened our offer through partnering with independent home guarantee insurance.

Lloyd’s of London to provide further support in the form of enhanced independent home guarantee insurance.

FIND A NZCB TO FIND ATO NZCB MEMBER CALL MEMBER CALL

CERTIF 08000800 CERTIFIED ( 0800 237 843 ) ( 0800 237 843 )

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

nzcb.nz nzcb.nz

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

nzcb.nz OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE nzcb.nz

14 21 October, August,2016 2015

“My kids at ACG love talking to me about what I’m doing.

They are always asking what I’ve finished and can I bring it in for them. That dialogue is fantastic”

the painting. “Then, I put Perspex overtop, so you can see through it, painted on the canvas, and hung it inside the frame, leaving the wood exposed. It’s about the structure and surface of the painting and pushing that further than I ever normally would.”

She credits the Miles Art Award, and competitions such as this, as a way for like-minded artists to get together and challenges the boundaries of art.

“It’s a good way to get critical reflection on your work and present pieces that you wouldn’t normally do for expert critique. You want to know if it has weight in that art world context, alongside your peers and other professionals.”

One of those peers is fellow Miles Art Award finalist Josh Buxton – Leana’s husband – who is a high school teacher in English and media studies.

“His background is in photography,” says Leana. “We both got the same email alerting us that we were finalists, and I tricked him by saying I didn’t get in!”

Leana, who is also a mother-of-three, credits her ability to work part-time at ACG Tauranga with enabling her to explore her artistic ability, which, she says, is paramount to her work in the classroom.

“I am very fortunate that I can teach and practise my own art work. I think that is fundamental to being a wellrounded art teacher, so I have a studio at home where I paint and draw.

“My kids at ACG love talking to me about what I’m doing. They are always asking what I’ve finished and can I bring it in for them. That dialogue is fantastic.

“The students also like being able to go into the gallery and see my work. It gives them context as to how I work and who I am as a person.”

They’re not the only children benefitting from Leana’s practical approach – her own three are well on their way to becoming the next Miles Art Award finalists.

“They have a little desk in my studio that they can paint at – sometimes I am happy for that, and sometimes I need them not to be in there!” she says with a laugh.

“But, to be honest, I get jealous of my kids art making!

That’s because, and I think most abstract artists understand this, the style seems simple but it’s actually incredibly difficult – and for my children, they are so unrestrained and don’t overthink things. I love that.”

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

8

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Design dreams See page 2

THE WEEKEND

Featuring

Home & living | Penguin passion | Fashion | Art & creativity

2

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 14August, October, 2016

Telling a story through furniture design Stepping inside The Design Depot is like reading a great novel. The Mount Maunganui showroom goes beyond the physical space to tell a story.

It’s a story that customers are truly participating in.

Each chair, lampshade and rug is perfectly put together to create an atmosphere for customers, making it easy to visualise that gorgeous wooden tabletop or leather lounge suite in a living room at home.

Inside the store you’ll find a beautiful standalone sofa is complemented by a rug and the texture of the rug contrasts with the fabric of the sofa. The sofa, the rug, the accessories, textures and colours – they all work together to complete the look.

“We furnish for lifestyle,” says The Design Depot store manager and interior designer Deborah Moore.

“Particularly in the Bay of Plenty, people are here for that relaxing lifestyle and furniture has to relate to that.”

This edgy inspirational store stocking furniture, homewares, lighting and bed linen is every homeowners dream.

Raylene Marsh opened The Design Depot Hamilton store in 2011 and saw an opportunity in Mount Maunganui for a second store, opening in June last year. Her vision for the store was something a little different than the standard.

She envisaged a store offering unique pieces and the full design experience.

Specialising in design consultations, product sourcing and bringing uniqueness to every home, The Design Depot’s products are expertly and creatively merchandised to inspire and showcase quality and exclusive local and global brands.

“That’s what set us apart,” says Larisa Cochrane of The Design Depot. “We hunt out unique products from international suppliers, often heading to trade fairs in Europe and Asia for the latest look.

“But we’re also very big supporters of New Zealand manufacturers, and we’re proud of that.”

What’s trending currently is an organic textural look, says Deborah.

“It’s bringing in all your different elements like wood, stones, metals and very earthy colours. Soft corals are also on trend with inky blues.”

But if that’s not your style, The Design Depot team is skilled in helping customers find the right furniture and fabrics for their home.

They’re more than just a retail store, with staff

boasting expert knowledge in interior design.

“Deborah has 15 years’ experience and she’s very good at what she does,” says Larisa.

“The advantage of having a retail store is we can showcase a lot of products to our interior design customers, but also use our experience to find unique pieces for them that we might not have on the floor.

“With our experience and interior design service, we can help guide customers to the right products that aesthetically look great but are also functional, practical, and fit your budget.

“That’s really important to us. We take pride in getting it right for people, often making a trip to a customer’s home to really make sure.”

Deborah says their vast fabric library opens up options to customers for custom products. Items can be made in expensive or modestly-priced fabrics, giving customers a beautiful NZ-made chair at a price that won’t break the budget.

Backed with exceptional customer service it is easy to see why The Design Depot is a constant winner of local and national awards for outstanding retail excellence.

The Design Depot is a previous NZ Top Shop Awards winner and are the recent winners of the NZ Interiors Design Awards part of the Waikato Home and Garden Show last weekend.

Experience the story or find a regular inspirational Zoe Hunter fix at The Design Depot today.

Photos: Chris Callinan

Furnishing for lifestyle

14 October, 2016

For the love of penguins Julia Graham on local flippers and the Rena “I don’t do this for the publicity. I only do it for the penguins.”

Julia Graham, spearhead of the Western Bay Wildlife Trust, is unbelievably passionate about the fuzzy little blue penguins.

So much so that when Rena hit the reef five years ago, Julia stopped her university presentation mid-way through and left to help.

“I was at university studying environmental management and penguins were actually my major project, so I knew all the penguins were there.”

Rena hit Astrolabe Reef 12 nautical miles off Tauranga and grounded in the early hours of October 5, 2011, and created an unbelievable mess to clean up, including covering more than 300 penguins in oil.

“When Rena hit, it was actually kind of funny because that day, that very day that it hit, I had to stand in class and give my penguin presentation, and part of it was about oil spills,” says Julia.

“I remember standing there, giving this PowerPoint presentation, looking at everyone, and I got to the part about oil spills and I was like: ‘Why are we here? We need to go, I have to go’.”

Julia started by helping where she could, just like everyone else. But soon that wasn’t enough for Julia, she knew she could be doing more.

So Julia teamed up with grey faced petrel surveyors Paul Cuming and Tim Short, and

the two started night expeditions to save the birds.

“Between us we started going out at night to rescue our birds, because there was all of this daytime stuff being done but no night rescue, and all of the birds that we knew were nocturnal.”

Julia would work all day, then she would go out at night to save her birds.

“We ended up leading teams every month, and during the day we led teams cleaning the rocks.”

Cleaning the rocks was of particular importance, says Julia, as that was where the birds lived, bred, and would die if the oil stayed.

“The top of the rock would look clean, but you bend down and look under it and it was just a pool of oil.”

She says the seemingly endless days and nights cleaning rock, penguin, and everything in between paid off in the end.

“It was worth it though, especially that first penguin release [November 22, 2011]. It was just a moment where, I think I just cried like a baby really. And to see them now when I’m out monitoring, when I find the Rena ones I always look at them and go: ‘Yeah it was worth it’ because here you are right in front of me – healthy as, feisty as, ready to defend your territory’.

“They’re very full of character, every one of them is different.”

And Julia says that just because the Rena mess has been cleaned up, that doesn’t mean people can stop taking care of the environ-

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

“People spent so long cleaning this place that they are never going to forget it, and they will always want to defend it”

ment and save the penguins. “Once people are involved, once you’ve put your hand into Mauao and have planted a tree, or picked up that bit of rubbish under a rock that you never saw was there because you’ve never looked under a rock before, there’s a community spirit.

“People spent so long cleaning this place that they are never going to forget it, and they will always want to defend it.”

Helping is easy. “Get involved with your local environment groups and the Western Bay Wildlife Trust, pick up rubbish on the beach, every little bit helps. Rubbish will kill a penguin just as quickly as an oil spill.

“Make wise choices in everyday life from a consumer’s point of view, turn of a light switch – that’s a simple one! Even if it’s going to one event a year and picking up a bit of rubbish – every little bit helps. All of these things that you do will contribute.”

For more information and to help, visit www.westernbaywildlife.nz Cayla-Fay Saunders JOIN THE LEISURE TIME TOURS TRAVEL CLUB Receive discounts on day trips and concert connections.

Quarterly newsletters with latest information, tours and updates.

Meet new people in a relaxed social setting whilst taking in the views.

Annual fee single membership $15 (plus $10 one-off joining fee).

Call the office for more information or to join the club

Fully Escorted Day Trips & Extended Tours across NZ & around the World

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH LEISURE TIME TOURS

NEW YEAR TOUR, 8 days 27 Dec - 3 January 2017 Why not celebrate the New Year exploring the lower North Island?

During this 8 day tour, we explore Napier, Masterton and New Plymouth, enjoying attractions including Huka Falls, Gannet Safaris, Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, Castlepoint Lighthouse, Pukekura Park Festival of Lights, and Puke Ariki.

Only $2500.00 per person twin share.

Selling fast! Book your seat today!

PIC TO COME CENTRE

WAITANGI WEEKEND, 4 days, 04 - 07 February 2017 Every year on Waitangi Day, 6 February, New Zealanders of all communities, backgrounds and creeds gather to commemorate the signing of New Zealand’s most historic document Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi. On this 4 day tour, we travel up to the beautiful Bay of Islands, spend some time in Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri. The highlight of the trip is celebrating Waitangi Day at the treaty grounds where we witness Māori cultural performances, speeches from Māori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries, and a naval salute are all part of the annual activities at Waitangi.

Only $1690.00 per person twin share

Call to join today 0800 365 632

info@lttnz.co.nz

www.leisuretimetours.co.nz

4

14August, October, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Summer is on its way Ladies, it’s almost time to start packing away your cosy winter jumpers and start pulling out the bright colours, statement prints and floaty fabrics. Pair ethereal sheer tops with block colours on your feet and slip on a statement necklace. A personalised floating charms necklace or chunky pattern will help ground your look.

Lemonade Fashions on the Deck has a fabulous range of Malcolm Peters Vivid Collection.

Langtons Lingerie on Grey St has a great range of robes for the warmer the season.

Memories Shoes at Bethlehem Shopping Centre has a beautiful range of summer footwear.

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

14 October, 2016 21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

Funky leather sandal and cobalt blue leather hand bag.

White lace up boot, perfect for spring. From Maggie J Shoes, 35 Grey St, Tauranga.

Stunning Stow Lockets, available from Molyneux Jewellers.

Pictured: Wedding Gift set and Cherished Family set.

Follow us on Facebook www.indeliblegiftware.co.nz

S1641krIndelible

Colourful Kazuri necklaces and lace scarves from Indelible, Devonport Rd, Tauranga.

6

October, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 2114August, 2015

Art attack Developing passionate Picassos There is one piece of advice that ACG Tauranga teacher Leana Buxton passes on to all her students: Never give up.

Photos: Bruce Barnard

An accomplished artist in her own right and a recent finalist of the prestigious 2016 Miles Art Award, the 32-year-old is a testament to her own advice. Lacking natural artistic skill, but with plenty of passion, Leana says a career in art was not a clearcut path.

“I wasn’t the best artist at school and it wasn’t until after high school that I made the decision to do a Bachelor of Media Arts. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in art and design that I found I was passionate about it and developed my skills.”

It’s this kind of real-world approach Leana brings to her teaching – encouraging students that if they truly want to become an artist natural talent isn’t enough.

“I say to the children: ‘You know, even if you don’t feel that passionate about it or feel that you lack ability, art is something that you can practise and learn’.

“If you do a ‘bad drawing’, it’s actually a good thing – from that we can figure out why this particular drawing isn’t working and how we can improve on that to grow.

“Everything you do has a purpose and is a learning opportunity.”

Leana herself is always seeking new ways to grow and develop her art, through opportunities such as the Miles Art Award. The biennial event is an opportunity for artists in the Bay of Plenty to submit their art works for the premiere award, judged by artist, curator and writer Ane Tonga.

The finalists are currently being shown in a curated exhibit at Tauranga Art Gallery until October 16.

Leana, an abstract-expressionist painter, entered a piece equally focused on the construction of the artwork as the image itself – something she was captivated by during her time at university.

“I look at events such as this as an opportunity to diversify,” she explains.

“I got great satisfaction out of the construction aspect at university, so for this piece I sourced macrocarpa timber from a local yard and – with the help of my father-in-law – made the frame for

Our point of difference Our point of difference — —

Peace of mind.

Peace of mind.

Guaranteed Guaranteed For most people, building a new home or taking on a renovation is a

major event. We recognise the level of trust our customers place in For most people, building a new home or taking on a renovation is a us and we’ll do everything we can to make it a rewarding experience. major event. We recognise the level of trust our customers place in ushave and we’ll everything we make it partnering a rewardingwith experience.

We alsodo strengthened ourcan offertothrough Lloyd’s of London to provide further support in the form of enhanced We have also strengthened our offer through partnering with independent home guarantee insurance.

Lloyd’s of London to provide further support in the form of enhanced independent home guarantee insurance.

FIND A NZCB TO FIND ATO NZCB MEMBER CALL MEMBER CALL

CERTIF 08000800 CERTIFIED ( 0800 237 843 ) ( 0800 237 843 )

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

nzcb.nz nzcb.nz

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

nzcb.nz OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE nzcb.nz

14 21 October, August,2016 2015

“My kids at ACG love talking to me about what I’m doing.

They are always asking what I’ve finished and can I bring it in for them. That dialogue is fantastic”

the painting. “Then, I put Perspex overtop, so you can see through it, painted on the canvas, and hung it inside the frame, leaving the wood exposed. It’s about the structure and surface of the painting and pushing that further than I ever normally would.”

She credits the Miles Art Award, and competitions such as this, as a way for like-minded artists to get together and challenges the boundaries of art.

“It’s a good way to get critical reflection on your work and present pieces that you wouldn’t normally do for expert critique. You want to know if it has weight in that art world context, alongside your peers and other professionals.”

One of those peers is fellow Miles Art Award finalist Josh Buxton – Leana’s husband – who is a high school teacher in English and media studies.

“His background is in photography,” says Leana. “We both got the same email alerting us that we were finalists, and I tricked him by saying I didn’t get in!”

Leana, who is also a mother-of-three, credits her ability to work part-time at ACG Tauranga with enabling her to explore her artistic ability, which, she says, is paramount to her work in the classroom.

“I am very fortunate that I can teach and practise my own art work. I think that is fundamental to being a wellrounded art teacher, so I have a studio at home where I paint and draw.

“My kids at ACG love talking to me about what I’m doing. They are always asking what I’ve finished and can I bring it in for them. That dialogue is fantastic.

“The students also like being able to go into the gallery and see my work. It gives them context as to how I work and who I am as a person.”

They’re not the only children benefitting from Leana’s practical approach – her own three are well on their way to becoming the next Miles Art Award finalists.

“They have a little desk in my studio that they can paint at – sometimes I am happy for that, and sometimes I need them not to be in there!” she says with a laugh.

“But, to be honest, I get jealous of my kids art making!

That’s because, and I think most abstract artists understand this, the style seems simple but it’s actually incredibly difficult – and for my children, they are so unrestrained and don’t overthink things. I love that.”

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

8

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015