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Affordable Framing for Prints

I have figured out a way to frame even non-standard sized prints. Although many of my prints are standard A4, A3 or A2 sizes, some of my prints are not (and there were reasons why I chose to work on non-standard canvases, as I felt standard sizing would not enhance the design). Traditionally, a print will have a mat placed on top of the print when framed under glass, as seen in this photo:...

My Decision to Embrace Useful and Beautiful Items

SerendipityA few months ago, I bought a handmade ceramic palette crafted by a local watercolour-maker (https://chooice.co.nz/store/bellbird-watercolour/). My intent was to support a small, local business. After I brought it home, I sat and looked at it and had an epiphany. Why have we mostly lost the indefinable ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality of the past, when a utilitarian implement was crafted to be beautiful? Useful items were crafted and embellished, and were often prized, treasured and ...

Interview with Australian Wildlife Artist, Ronelle Reid

I am so excited to interview fellow wildlife artist, Ronelle Reid, who hales from Australia. Ronelle’s work touches a cord in my heart, as she often paints wildlife living a precarious existence, and she is not afraid to paint some of the rarer and more unusual species. Ronelle has even painted some of our own iconic New Zealand native species. I was delighted when Ronelle took time away from her amazing paintings to talk to us....

My Decision to Buy Natural Fibre Clothing from Now On

All images in the blog came from Pixabay. Like many people, I have done my best to avoid buying products in single-use plastic bags and opted for cloth bags when buying fresh produce, because of the damage to the environment and to wildlife caused by plastic bags....

Products and Pricing

ARE MY PRODUCTS TOO EXPENSIVE?Some people have commented that the products I sell are too expensive. Evaluation of expense is relative so what is too costly for one person is easily affordable by another. However, the last thing I want is to profiteer – and at present I am running at a loss because art involves such a huge outlay of time and cost for materials that it is almost impossible to recoup unless/until an artist becomes fashionable. To be perfectly honest, I cannot affo...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 7 (Final)

Image from Pixabay...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 6

Following on from yesterday’s mini-blog, my job as an artist also involves the following:...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 5

Following on from yesterday’s mini-blog, my job as an artist also involves the following:...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 4

Image from Pixabay...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 2

Image from Pixabay...

The Many Hats Artists Wear – Part 1

I recently reflected on what it means to be an artist and thought about how many of an artist’s day-to-day tasks do not directly involve art. I thought I would write a blog entitled ‘A Day in the Life of an Artist’, but it is more accurate to name it ‘The Many Hats Artists Wear’, because being an artist is so much more than being creative. Creating art is not the whole story. Artists also must be business owners, do marketing and promotion, etc. as well as dealing with the mundane task...

Interview with Kiwi freshwater ecologist, Emily Demchick

Despite good intentions to write a blog and newsletter every month, my workload over the last few months has made it impossible. Having to shut my website and transfer the data to the online store, working on several urgent and very time-consuming projects and trying to push my wildlife illustration business to the next level has kept me flat-out busy (and this isn’t counting my tutoring commitments either). FYI, if you search AuntieBettyIllustration.com, you will automatically be transferred ...

Our Enviro-friendly Packaging Ethos

We all experience disillusionment. I did about a fortnight ago when I discovered that my supposedly biodegradable cellophane packaging is not actually biodegradable, nor is it real cellophane – it is biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP). I was horrified, as I thought I was using environmentally friendly packaging for my artwork and other merchandise. I am angry that manufacturers and retailers are selling ‘cellophane’ that is NOT cellophane. True cellophane is made from plants containin...

Interview with Kiwi herpetologist, Carey Knox

In today’s blog, I am delighted to share the interview with Carey Knox, a herpetologist (reptile and amphibian researcher) based in Otago.Hi Carey, thank you for your willingness to be interviewed. No worries Generally, I review art products, books and relate my art adventures on my blog, however, I have just started interviewing conservationists, photographers, artists and others who love New Zealand and our flora and fauna.I enjoy seeing your Instagram posts and can’t wait to sha...

The Inspiration Behind My Wildlife Art

The BackgroundI have always loved animals. I was blessed growing up with many pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, a tortoise,  African grey parrot, rosellas, pigeons, budgies, canaries, love birds, various finches, chickens, geese, quail, pheasant and more. I always wanted a horse and nearly got one but was advised that he was a vicious brute and my parents backed out at the last minute. My dream pet was a Komodo dragon and I would still very much like having a lizard an...