WAIT FOR ME – Three cultures and the dreaming

WAIT FOR ME – Three cultures and the dreaming. Your pleasure is the treasure. Mixed media painting beach
Ask at this link for the framed original or number 1 of 25 limited edition acrylic enhanced reproductions.

THE STORY

This painting is an experimental mixed media work inspired by a photograph taken in Northland, New Zealand, during the 1980s. In creating it, I combined airbrush inks, watercolour, and oil paints to explore the interaction between transparency, fluidity, and depth.

The process became more than technical experimentation — it opened new pathways of expression for me. Working across mediums allowed unexpected textures and tonal relationships to emerge. These led into a deeper exploration of indigenous visual language and form.

Through this piece, I discovered fresh creative possibilities in layering materials and meaning — blending memory, landscape, and cultural resonance into a single evolving surface. Mixed media painting beach

Some observations

1. The free and playful attitudes of children inspired this work. Watching their anticipation of pleasure — especially in holiday mode — reveals a beautiful mixture of impatience, joy, competition, leadership, and excitement. These emotions gather into bundles of memory that often remain with us for life.

2. In capturing summertime memories from Australia and later adulthood in New Zealand, I found myself revisiting my own beach experiences. The salt air, the light on water, the thrill of waves and antisipation of body surfing. The children in this work are suspended in that moment of anticipation: dreaming of the exhilaration of riding boogie boards across moving surf. A treasured want. Mixed media painting beach

3. In 2016, I incorporated indigenous design elements into the piece. As a European Pākehā (the Māori term for New Zealanders of European descent), I recognise my inherited artistic traditions, yet I have also grown to deeply admire indigenous art and storytelling. I am drawn to the symbolism embedded in form, colour, and pattern. Cultural traditions carry hidden mysteries and layered meaning. All art, regardless of origin, carries a story.

4. The pearl functions as an allegory within the painting. It represents childlike dreaming — the treasure many aspirations are built upon. It also references the biblical allegory of “The Pearl of Great Price.” The willingness to surrender something once valued in order to pursue a greater dream is parabolic. The pearl becomes both innocence and pursuit — longing and sacrifice.

5. The phrase “Wait for Me” reflects the tension and delight of chasing after dreams. There is always a leader and followers — a dynamic found not only in human experience but throughout the animal kingdom. Desire, instinct, aspiration — these are embedded deeply within us, woven into our very design.

   Ultimately, this work is about anticipation: the space between longing and fulfilment, innocence and awakening, memory and meaning.

The pearl is an allegory for desired pleasure and rest

For a large percentage of families in Australia and New Zealand, summer is the anticipated highlight of the year — a reward after months of hard labour. It represents release. The promise of pleasure. A time to kick back, play, relax, and find rest for weary souls worn down by the daily treadmill of life.

The pearl, across cultures, carries many meanings — purity, wisdom, sacrifice, rarity. In this painting, however, the pearl symbolises rest. It represents the longing to be free from worry, from financial pressure, from striving. It is the dream of relief.

We see this longing expressed in many forms: holidays, weekends, winning the Lotto, retirement, living mortgage-free, spiritual enlightenment, or simply the hope of peace after toil. Each of these becomes a “pearl” — a treasure pursued. And those who appear to find their pearl often become leaders, with others calling out, “Wait for me,” hoping to be guided toward the same promise of rest.

The original painting began in 1988. Like  “You Taught Me to Fish for Tea”  it was revisited and reworked between 2016 and 2017. This return to the canvas allowed new layers of meaning to surface — shaped by decades of lived experience, reflection, and cultural exploration. What began as a memory of youthful anticipation matured into a broader meditation on desire, leadership, rest, and the human pursuit of fulfilment.

The Indigenous Influence Art disclaimer

My exploration of indigenous art is undertaken with humility. I am aware that my attempts to study and reflect elements of these traditions are limited, and in many ways naïve. Yet my intention is never to imitate carelessly or disrespect a people whose culture I deeply admire.

As I study at my own pace, I find that the process reveals not only artistic techniques but a deeper sense of honour toward communities whose histories, stories, and identities have often been marginalised. When I carefully integrate aspects of indigenous visual language alongside my Western-trained photorealism, I see it not as appropriation, but as an attempt at creative dialogue — a bridge between traditions.

As an Australian citizen, I hold great respect for Indigenous storytelling — the symbolism in design, the language of dot painting, the layered meanings carried in colour and pattern. Beyond visual art, the rhythmic soundscapes of didgeridoos, conch shells, guitars, clap sticks, dance, and song reflect a cultural richness that is profoundly unique and deeply moving.

I recognise that I have much to learn. My journey is one of listening, observing, and growing in understanding — seeking ways to honour rather than overshadow. Bridging cultures through art requires sensitivity, patience, and continual self-examination.

Ultimately, I see creativity as part of a shared human inheritance — a gift from God expressed through diverse cultures. My hope is that all artistic traditions, purified from prejudice, fear, and division, point toward something greater. A redeemed creativity where every culture’s offering is honoured and celebrated after the counterfeit comes to the light.

STATUS and MATERIALS

ORIGINAL FOR SALE  *
Artist oils and mixed media on stretched, gesso-primed cotton canvas mounted proudly on gesso-primed mount card and New Zealand pine wood. Gloss dammar varnish protection.
* Original and Limited Edition reproductions are supplied with Provenance, coded Authentication of Sale Certificate, and maintenance/care information.

25 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes.

75 LIMITED EDITION CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS * 
Unframed sizes | 960 x short side – $960  |  650 x short side – $650
Printed on long-life archival canvas. 8 color giclee printed on fine art archival paper or archival linen canvas and acrylic enhanced. Protected with 2 coats of UV archival spray.
* Stretch-mounted reproductions will incur added charges for mounting and freight.

OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS * 
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $120
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival protection spray.

FASHION

Images from “Wait for Me” will be exhibited on multiple product lines at Fine Art America

SHIPPING

• Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
• The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance coded Authentication of Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
• Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.

AWARDS