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Lindy McLachlan paints from her studio, nestled in the serene hill country farm of rural Pahiatua. She has a deep love for gardening and is captivated by the beauty of nature – from lush plants and blooming flowers, to the humble grass and the wild weeds. When she paints, it's as if she's right there in the garden, enveloped by the splendour of flora, striving to capture the essence of the communities within which they thrive. Fascinated by the natural growth of plants, she reflects on the human attempt to dominate our spaces, only to realise that the plants have their own rules, growing wherever they wish, in their own beautiful disorder.
She has showcased her work at the esteemed Aratoi Art Museum and has been a finalist three times at the Wairarapa biannual Art Award. Lindy recently received the People's Choice award at the CON Art 2025 exhibit. Her work is held in private collections both in New Zealand and abroad.
June Featured Artist
Santie Cronje
'Metamorphosis' by Santie Cronje
Metamorphosis symbolises a significant change from one state to another. Various life events can inspire such transformation. For artist Santie Cronje, the Covid pandemic greatly influenced her painting style. It shifted from a representational approach to a more expressive painterly style, recalling her earlier work from before she moved from South Africa in 1999
The paintings for her collection began their development some years ago. Each piece started with an initial image on the canvas. Although they were visually engaging, not all were complete. 'Perhaps they needed time and I needed to grow as an artist,' says Santie. 'I belong to two countries, and there often seems to be a duality in my artwork, either in style or theme.
With Metamorphosis, I aimed to combine my different art worlds, transforming them into something new, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.' This process of letting go of earlier work and developing something new provided Santie with a deeper understanding of her artistic journey. 'I now see painting differently than before. Paint is like a magical guide. We shape it into various visions, but sometimes the paint guides us, and that is where the joy lies for me. That is where transformation exists, bringing emotions into being.'
Previous Exhibitions
We were fortunate to host fantastic Exhibitions in 2024
'The Journey of Joy'
Mila Renault and Robbi Carvalho
'Good Company'
Diane Parker and Santie Cronje
'From the garden'
Jo Gallagher and Narelle Huggins
Jay Drew
'Glass Half Full'
Aida Smith
'Finding Form'
Santie Cronje
'Elemental'
Jo Muir, Tracy Stamatakos, Odelle Morshuis & Santie Cronje
'Impressions'
Kate Cregoe
