Original Artwork

Award winning artist – Sandy Wright is the president of the “Bay of Islands Painting Group”.
In 2017 she won a special award in a national competition run by the New Zealand Artist Magazine when one of her paintings won “best acrylic creation” and went onto to win the overall “best in competition” award. She says she was persuaded to enter her painting by the group, who said it would be a good fit for the 'Environment' theme of the 2017 competition.

Painting is still a relatively new hobby for Sandy, picking up a brush only four years ago, after a previous career in England where she restored photographs. Her style has particularly developed in the last couple of years, inspired by the Bay of Islands where she has lived for the past 11 years.

“I tend to concentrate on birds because we get them in the garden, we wake up to the tui and go to sleep with the morepork”.

“I like my paintings to tell a story and perhaps make people smile”.

The Uplifting Series

A collection of paintings inspired by the award winning original artwork “If We All Pull Together” that was created by Sandy in September 2017. The painting that won the challenge competition run by New Zealand Artist Magazine. After it was awarded the best acrylic creation in October 2017 it went onto become the overall competition winner as published in the November/December issue of the magazine.

“If We All Pull Together” This painting shows a kestrel, tui, and a kea flying a flightless kiwi with ribbons - a metaphor for if kiwis can be helped to fly, impossible challenges can start to become possible. (20“ x 16“ x 1.5“ Staple free edge, Acrylic on canvas) SOLD

“You Lift Me Up” No.2 in the “Uplifting Series”, this painting shows a kestrel, tui, and kea being helped by a kingfisher and a piwakawaka (30“ x 20“x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas) SOLD

“High Flyer” No.3 in the “Uplifting Series”, this painting shows a Kereru, tui, and kingfisher being helped by a piwakawaka (30“ x 20“x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)

The Diversity Series

A collection of paintings depicting the natural diversity of New Zealand, inspired by the desire to protect our unique, iconic and endangered species through eductational awareness.

“Northern Diversity” Recognising the diversity of the North Island: Kereru, NZ Dotterel and Green Gecko. (30“ x 20“x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)

“Southern Diversity” Celebrating the diversity of the South Island: Albatross, Yellow Eyed Penguin and the Tuatara. (30“ x 20“ x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)

“Ocean Diversity” Bridging the gap above and below: Kotuku, Hector’s Dolphin and Fur Seal pup. . (30“ x 20“1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)

Individual Paintings

A selection of some of the individual paintings that are currently available.

“Jigsaw” This picture has been created to show just how important it is to keep all the pieces. Little Blue Penguin, Banded Rail, Kaka, Pohutukawa, Bumble Bee, Kakapo, Brown Kiwi . (20“ x 24“ Acrylic on canvas)

“Reflections” It all about believing in yourself and being more than what other people see. Brown Kiwi, Eagle (20“ x 16“ x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)

“A little help goes a long way” If everyone does a little, we can achieve a lot. Brown Kiwi and New Zealand Butterflies. (30“ x 15“ x 1.5“ Acrylic on canvas)