 At the end of 2020 I began my journey in to the world of crypto technology. I bought my first fraction of a Bitcoin and then eventually Ethereum and then a bunch of alternative crypto currencies and so on. Along this investing journey I picked up on the concept of NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) and knew it was something I needed to get involved in being an artist. At the time I received an email from a guy called Ryan Jennings who had seen my Kaya & Kea painting at Art Bay Gallery in Queenstown. He was holding a 3-week NFT course online and could see the potential in my art being on the blockchain. I took that plunge along with 5 other creatives interested in NFTs and the rest is history! So far, I have minted (put on the blockchain) my back catalogue of artworks but I intend to release new NFTs as new physical artworks are completed. My strategy at the moment is for NFTs to be an added string to my bow as I will always paint physical artworks. If you are interested in picking up some of my NFTs here is the link to my Opensea collections and here to my Foundation market place collection. They are both on the Ethereum network. If you have any questions about NFTs or how to collect, please feel free to contact me!!
 This skateboard is one of three boards I purchased almost two years ago. They quickly went on the back burner because the content I planned for them was still a little raw for me to portray, but now, I feel it is the right time to put one out to the world. Here is the story behind this piece Te Whenua me Te Rangi or “Earth and Air” Originally this painting was intended to portray our hardship and journey trying to conceive. In a way, it was meant to be cathartic or healing and somehow gather my thoughts in how I felt about our difficulties trying to bring a baby in to the world. But, it didn’t turn out that way, and I found it to be something I wanted to avoid as much as possible, I just wasn't ready to compartmentalise my thoughts in that moment. So, now that we have a healthy little baby after 4 years of trying, I found I was able to face this piece again and am so grateful we have our gorgeous son, Carter Te Kaha.  Why skateboards? Mainly because I love street art and its accessibility, and have followed that movement for a long time and have always thought it would be cool to paint a skateboard. A skateboard quite literally represents ‘movement’ or ‘traveling’ and so it speaks to that 'journey' aspect of the piece. The Ngāpuhi kite motif in this piece represents “Air” and the space this earth desperately needed to breathe while we have been in lockdown. Also, it is the wind that picks us up, whatever that might mean to others. To me, its just that expression of exhaling and how good that feels after so long of holding your breathe. In this painting you can see this uplifting movement of the kite to represent that. The orange peony flower, the green colour palette and the carved silver fern are the “Earth” elements of this piece. The Peony which speaks to my Japanese heritage as seen in my previous works but in this case in particular is placed over her puku (tummy) area in particular as a symbol of fertility which at the time meant a lot to us because we were having trouble trying to conceive. To bring the "Earth" concept back to the present time in this COVID19 environment, it is also a portrayal of my thoughts and concerns about our whenua/land and actually how awesome it has been to see nature get the break it needed from all the negative human impact.
The word "whenua" in the title of this painting also means placenta in Māori. My Māori identity caused me some inner turmoil because I was trusting my body to do its thing naturally (since there were no medical issues preventing it) and the thought of going to see a fertility specialist scared me. I knew the fertility procedures were quite invasive and in Māori culture a woman's puku (tummy) is very tapu (sacred) so I didn't want some stranger invading that space. However, after much research and discussion within our whānau, we decided that maybe it was an avenue we should explore, and thankfully after quite a few procedures we were successful. This isn't to say that the journey was pleasant or one I would run back in to again but it helped us in this journey, so for that I am grateful. So, as a piece that was originally intended to portray a hardship and work through some deeper heartache, it turned out to exhibit feelings about issues and concerns bigger than me that we are facing in the world right now. It is a celebration piece. A celebration of life, and the world we live in.  September 20th - 22nd Carmel College Gala Evening Opening Friday 20th September Tickets available here Free to view on Saturday and Sunday  Happy New Year lovely people! I know I’ve been a bit off the radar for the past few months but hopefully this piece will explain my whereabouts and hopefully you can forgive me. Commissions This year was definitely the year of commissions. I am truly grateful for the art collectors and gift givers who helped me keep a sustainable income, creating what I love to do. Seeing the smiles on people's faces when handing over a piece of art really does make me proud to bring joy and enrich other people's lives through art. To the people who purchased a piece or multiple pieces from me - Thank you!! Here are some compliments I've received from some proud owners... "Morena Dom - guess what was the first thing I did when I woke up this morning? I absolutely love my new artwork, nga mihi nui ki a Koe - it is sooo beautiful! I can’t stop looking at it!" - Annette Lucas "Thank you Dom.....it is stunning!!! One proud owner of one of your pieces!!" - Lynley Davidson "Painting looks amazing! I love it! It's beautiful" - Emma Iremonger You'll be interested to know I have some plans coming up this year which may have you glad you bought a piece early on. Watch this space for more details. I have also updated my website with a new commission form here for those still wanting to order a piece of art. Exhibitions As the commissions were flowing I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some added exposure by exhibiting more, it also gave followers the chance to see my works in the flesh. Earlier in the year I was asked to be a part of a show called #Update which included artists of Asian ethnicity. Naturally, I said yes and later on found out I would get paid to be a part of it! That is not heard of in the art world, well... not to me any way. I would like to send a huge thank you to my good friend Cora-Allan Wickliffe who curated the show at Corban Estate Arts Centre, and for getting the funding to make that possible. She is an amazing artist herself and is exploring her Niuean heritage by reviving the lost art of Hiapo. Check out her work here. I am yet to lock down a Solo exhibition but am proud to say I organised one of my own group shows called "Foliage" at The Grey Place Gallery in Grey Lynn. By doing this, I was able to exhibit my art alongside artist friends whose work I admire. Although the show was not as successful sales-wise as we would have liked, it was still great to work with an awesome crew rather than working in solitude. Previous to this show, I was a part of the Mount Albert Grammar Art Show. This was a great success and a privilege to exhibit work alongside local artists I have been following via Instagram for a while now such as Tracey-Lea Morgan, Bec Robertson and Tanya Blong. If you would like to keep updated on upcoming exhibitions or for one off special discounts please join my mailing list here. Pow!Wow! Hawaii Earlier in the year my art curiosity saw me flying to Hawaii to help out with an event called Pow!Wow! Hawaii. I have been following this event for quite some time and was amazed to hear they were keen to have me help out. Extremely talented artists from all over the world gather in the industrial area of Kaka’ako, Honolulu to beautify the building walls with murals, over the course of a week. Thanks to the founders Jeff Gress, Jasper Wong and Kamea Hadar for allowing me the opportunity to help out. I made friends with some of the most incredible people and felt like I've known them my whole life. The experience was more than words could describe and I am truly sad I won’t be able to attend again this year for reasons I will mention shortly. Te Ara Reo Māori Before I mention why I won’t be able to attend Pow!Wow! this year, I want to talk about my journey learning to speak Te Reo Māori. This year I started learning to kōrero Māori with Te Wānanga O Aotearoa in the hopes it would deepen my understanding of my culture and also add another layer to my art practice. I went in unsure of what I wanted to achieve exactly but by the end of the year, I was full of knowledge and authenticity that it was like I was meant to walk that path all along. I learnt to say my pepeha and whakapapa in front of the class and even kōrero Māori with a 5-10min speech at the end! Not only did I learn Te Reo but I also became part of another family. The journey wasn’t easy at times but with the help of the whānau I was able to get through it. My works in the 'Foliage' exhibition at Grey Place represented my learnings of that journey by way of my pepeha. I truly feel it has added another layer to my art and I am looking forward to what comes out of doing the next level this year. Our Container House Build Whilst it seemed hard at times learning to speak Te Reo, it didn’t even come close to the hard work it was to build our own home out of two 40ft shipping containers. Although it was a major project to take on, I am truly grateful to now have my own home and studio space that I have always dreamed of having, and it's fully off-grid! We officially have no power or water bills. It’s still a work in progress but it is by far closer to finished than it was. Here are some photos of my biggest WIP to date. Pitter Patter of Little Feet... Yes.... the reason I am not able to attend Pow!Wow! this year is because we are expecting a baby boy in mid-May this year! In amongst the chaos of building a home, learning a new language, producing new work for exhibitions, and completing commissions, my husband and I had also been working on another little creation of our own. Since getting married in February 2015 we had been trying to start our own family but to no success and for no known reason. However, after two rounds of IUI we are happy to say we are finally expecting a much wanted bundle of joy (and hard work I’m sure) that we are so ready for! It’s hard to imagine now, all the heartache we had over the past few years but it is a very real thing and I send my deepest sympathy to others going through a similar experience. We know the road is not smooth sailing from here out but we are so looking forward to meeting our little man. (p.s. Wight is my married name )  2019 Plans.... Although our little guy was very much planned it still threw a spanner in the works a little with my plans for my art journey. Back in September I was accepted in to The Big Idea’s Mentoring Programme as a Mentee. Only a small group of select artists from various disciplines were accepted in to the programme (out of a couple hundred) as funding is very limited for it, but luckily I was one of them. I feel very humbled and privileged to be a part of yet another family of like-minded individuals. I am absolutely thrilled to be mentored by Linda Tyler, who is an Art Historian Professor at the University of Auckland. I wasn’t too sure how she would be able to help me but instantly she was able to capture my current state and be able to recommend opportunities for me and put together a plan to work on this year. I won’t go too deeply in to the plans but some of them will include hopefully a Solo show or another small group show, definitely more School Art Show attendance, Art Awards, increased Social Media content and exploring the South Island market in either Queenstown, Wanaka or both. So, there you have it, although 2018 was very different from 2017, I felt it was a very successful year. I am so so grateful for all the opportunities I was given last year and am looking forward to what this year will bring. The road less traveled is not always the easiest but it is soooooo worth it in the end. Wish me luck for the year ahead and I look forward to taking you on yet another art filled journey with me again!  Foliage Group Exhibition Opening 2nd October 5pm - 7pm Exhibition Dates 2nd - 13th October. The Grey Place - 37 Scanlan Street, Grey Lynn. Auckland  'Foliage' is a group exhibition showcasing works by four New Zealand artists: Dominique Baker, Meghan Geliza Jackson, Michael Kennedy and Paul Walsh. Each artist have been refining their painting practices independently over the past 10 years and in this show they will be creating artworks reclaiming the potency of nature in new contemporary art. This show will mirror our current paradigm - depicting flora and man’s place in it from a solid 21st century viewpoint, as we collectively work through the current tension between consumption and mutualistic symbiosis. Through their diverse painting styles stranding pop surrealism, street art and geometric abstraction, these four kiwi artists will render a timeless subject through a modern lens.
I have five art works up for sale at the Mount Albert Grammar School Art Show this year. This is the first time I have been included in the show and am really looking forward to the Gala Evening on Friday the 17th of August. For full information click here.  What a year! Soooooo much has happened along my art journey this year so I thought I would give a little bit of a recap. Here's hoping that 2018 will be just as successful. The Year of the Koi Midway through 2016 I formed a very valuable relationship with a gallery in Ponsonby called Endemic World. The founding owner Elliot Alexander opened up the gallery & art print studio in 2007 and I am incredibly lucky he believed enough in my artworks and me as an artist to sell my pieces in-store. We quickly realised my koi fish pieces were a hot commodity. So, naturally I kept the gallery stocked up with Koi paintings on wooden rounds. I couldn't believe it! People were actually buying my art and I was starting to see returns on my time doing something that I've loved to do ever since I could remember! I even made my biggest sale to date (at that time) of NZ$2500! At this point I was still working full-time as a Corporate Travel Agent for Air New Zealand but my brain starting ticking and thinking that maybe becoming a full-time artist was actually a possibility?    Going Part-time It was in April this year (2017) that I made a somewhat leap of faith and asked if there was any possibility I could cut my hours down to 3 days a week at my 9-5 job so I could focus more on making art. To much of my surprise they agreed and said yes! Although I was nervous, I just had to believe that as long as my time was put in to painting then I would see returns - and sure enough I did. It was the best decision I ever made. Although I felt guilty at first about waking up and doing what I loved ALL DAY I knew it was what I had to do. Trial and Error Although my artworks were selling via Endemic World I still had to supplement the down times in between to pay the bills. I sold woodblock letters via Social Media and greeting cards with my art printed on them. To be honest, everything has been trial and error. I have loved when people get excited about new pieces I paint and sad when ones I love other people don't like as much. But that's life right? The most success I've found is when I've done something that feels right from the gut. If I've loved doing it then that's all that matters. Sometimes you just wait until the next wave to catch it (or in my case, try to catch it..) Most of the time I just get ideas about what might be cool that I'd like to see and just do it. If I've learnt anything the MOST important thing is taking massive action as much as possible. And if not massive action then small but consistent action. Geisha Beauty and Meeting my Dad A lot of people who have known me for a long time will know that I never knew my biological father growing up. My mother and him split up when I was too little to remember although she kept a lot of photos of him which I held on to all these years never knowing if he was even alive! Along with these photos my Mum also had Japanese trinkets and ornaments from Japan which my father had given her. One of the particular objects which I always found beautiful were her Japanese dolls with their porcelain white skin and perfect make-up. I loved the intricate patterns on their kimonos. This struck my curiosity to find out more and in turn I started finding images of Japanese Geisha. It was something about their mysterious yet elegant poses that drew me in. Naturally, I decided I would do a painting of one back in 2010. One painting of a Geisha led to another and before I knew it that's all I wanted to paint! Never quite perfecting the last and always looking to make the next better. My mind started to wonder whether my curiosity had something to do with understanding the Japanese side to me and maybe even finding my Dad? After all, the mind works in mysterious ways. In 2011, just before the big Tsunami hit Japan I made contact with my Dad! It was quite emotional but also healing as I started to feel "whole" like a part of me was missing. His english was a bit rusty but we still managed to talk and understand each other, it was amazing! Luckily he wasn't directly impacted by the big Tsunami of 2011. Last year I met my Dad for the first time in about 30 years and it couldn't have been any better! We went back again this year in May and also got to see more of Japan and draw more inspiration from this culture I never truly knew. Along with my koi fish, these "Geisha Beauties" as I call them were also very popular. 2017 saw my biggest art sale to date of NZ$2800 for my painting "Hana". Although I am happy to be earning an income doing what I love, I do miss these paintings and get a little sad knowing I may not ever see them again.      When opportunities knock, open the door! As my practice started to evolve more and more, opportunities I never even considered were happening. One of the memorable moments of the year was seeing my "Samurai - Unleash the Dragon" painting on the TV show 'The Block'. I knew the contestants of the show quite frequently shopped for their art at Endemic but never did I think my painting would be front line and centre.  Another cool opportunity I was lucky enough to be involved with was being featured on the cover of a magazine called "Geometry" A very talented editor Di Starrenburg approached me via my website and asked if I could do a commission piece of my "Koi Duo" painting for her. Following that she asked whether she could use some of my images in her magazine and feature my painting "Kei" on the cover to which I said of course! The cherry on top was being paid for my images!
Although these opportunities were great exposure for me and my art I think the highlight of the year would definitely be having my art chosen by Endemic World to be in Paul McCartney's green room whilst he was in Auckland. To have that kind of association is priceless and an opportunity I never thought my art would reach.  The Gift of Giving As well as having all these opportunities, I am very proud to say that my art was able to give to charities close to home. Although I was not financially able to give the same amount of money my art raised I was incredibly honored to be able to give to such worthy causes. One way that I am able to give to local communities is to be involved in School fundraisers such as the Waitakere College and Birkenhead Primary School exhibitions. The money raised goes towards children who may not otherwise be able to afford experiences that are easily available to others. I was also lucky enough that I could meet up with Michel Tuffery at the Waitakere College exhibition as he was the one who taught me how to carve woodblock prints which then in turn lead me to my fused painting style. He was blown away by what I had created which was again priceless for me and my confidence as to what I could achieve. I thought I would also include the email I sent to the Principal of Waitakere College as I was highly impressed with the running of the event on the night. "I would just like to pass on my gratitude to the person (whoever that is on the board) who recommended having me included to show in this exhibition. But most of all the reason I am emailing this morning is to pass on my compliments to the very lovely and polite students of Waitakere College that helped with the event. I was very very impressed to every single student that helped me through my journey on the night from the students that guided me to my car park then the student that guided me to the auditorium offering an umbrella in case my hair got wet :) and also to the student that warmly greeted me at the door with the list of art items. It truely made the night for me and I would love if you could please pass this message on to the students involved. Well done and keep up the great work! Your parents and teachers should be very proud for raising such well mannered, responsible young people."   Another charity I was involved with was the Asylum Seekers Support Trust Art Trail. This was an interesting exhibition where each artist was given a frame to do whatever kind of painting they thought represented seeking freedom meant to them. Viewers then downloaded an APP which had a map of each frame around Auckland CBD to which you could walk and find each piece of art. Here is the piece I submitted with 100% proceeds going towards the cause and was lucky for the organisers to have it sell.  A cause closer to home which I was happy to help raise money for was for a friend of mine Tracey Lambrechs who needed funds raised to get to the Common Wealth games in 2018 for weight lifting which I am very proud to say she has achieved!! She won a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a sliver at the 2015 Pacific Games. Here's hoping she wins Gold at the Gold Coast 2018 CW Games! Funds raised not only went towards her physical training but also towards the amazing work she has to do on her mental strength and the incredible team helping her get to her goals. Here is a photo of me with one of her coaches who bought my "NZ" prints.  A more heart pulling charity which I was incredibly honored to help raise money for was for a little girl called Ka'iulani Forbes. I was watching a story on 'The Hui' about a 2 year old who is battling a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma had been misdiagnosed by doctors after a whopping 50 visits!! This meant she could potentially have missed out on getting treatment overseas as the deadline was quickly approaching and over a $350, 000 needed to be raised to get there and one Child Cancer specialist quoting a potential $2m required for the entire cost of treatments. After hearing this I rushed to the studio and started painting not really sure how I would raise money for them. I started posting on Facebook and soon realised Ka'iulani's parents knew my sister. My brother-in-law had already been doing all he could to raise funds so it became a charity close to our hearts. Not long after the Forbes family advertised they were going to hold a gala evening and so I got in touch with the organiser and had my painting up for silent auction. Overall they managed to raise $100,000 raised for the entire event which was enough to get them a good chunk of assistance for Ka'iulani. My painting "Heart Koi" raised $750.00 for the family which is far more than I have ever given any charity in my life. Ka'iulani is still undergoing treatment but have seen she has enjoyed Christmas with her family outside of the constant medical treatments. It was humbling to have been able to give to such a lovely and deserving family.  Overall I managed to raise $2457.00 for all these charities this year! I have always wanted to give in meaningful ways and I think my heart grew a little bigger knowing something I love to do is also helping others.
That's it!! 2017 is nearly over. Thanks for following my art journey for the year and I hope next year is as successful as this one was - I know it will be pritty hard to beat. Have a safe holiday! Lots of love, Dom Well people are really loving these wooden panels! Along with these sold works from Endemic World in Ponsonby I have also been enriching other people's homes with similar works. Thanks to those who have purchased a piece to call their own and please feel free to pop in to Endemic World to check out other works if you missed out on these pieces. My latest painting "Sakura" has just been dropped off in store along with more Koi Fish.    |
