I was born in Auckland but moved to Perth, Western Australia, in 1978, where I trained and taught as a primary school teacher. In the 1980's I dabbled in various art media, gaining high marks in an
Art and Design course at Perth Tech, but it was the watercolour medium that really hooked me. When I moved back to NZ in 1995, my woodturner husband Robbie and I opened our own gallery.
Wildwood Gallery
Living so near Lake Taupo, Sue's main motivation is to express the beauty, drama and mystery of our sensational local landscape.
Images are predominantly inspired by the dramatic central plateau vistas, contrasted with close-up elements relating to each scene,
especially native flora.
Her acrylic and watercolour paintings feature colour harmony, creatively implied texture and contemporary design elements such as transparent
glazes, intermittent panels and borders enhanced with metallic paint.
Other subjects range from native birds and flora to classic still life and more abstract or whimsical themes such as her "Still Life Riot"
and Mixed Media series.
frequently commissioned
represented around NZ and in many countries overseas
small/unframed works also available
packing and postage arranged
workshops, demonstrations and tuition
Also on display in Wildwood Gallery is an attractive selection of unframed paintings, perfect for travellers, and very reasonably priced
for original artwork.
Apart from at Wildwood Gallery, Sue's paintings can be viewed at galleries and cafes in the region. See her Facebook page
Sue Graham - Artist at Wildwood Gallery.
My popular adult watercolour classes have resulted in two successful students' exhibitions and frequent requests from all age groups for art workshops around the district.
Achievements to date
Click on date to view painting.
2014: First Prize and cover in the Shirley's Shoes Art Competition
2013: Prize in the Shirley's Shoes Art Competition
2013: First Prize and cover in the Shirley's Shoes Art Competition
2007-2012: Prizes in the Shirley's Shoes Art Competition
2007: Certificate of Merit, Combined Bay of Plenty Art Exhibition.
2005-2007: Prizes in the Shirley's Shoes Art Competition.
2004:This painting received a prize in the Shirley's Shoes catalogue competition.
2003:This painting called Spring Thaw, received 1st prize in the Shirley's Shoes catalogue competition.
2003:This painting of a Morepork (small NZ owl) received 1st prize in the Shirley's Shoes catalogue competition.
2002: Merit Award for a miniature painting in the Franklin Art Awards
2002: Published in the Australian Artist Magazine.
2001:"NZ Blue Fungi" received a Certificate of Merit in the Bay of Plenty Combined Arts Societies Exhibition
2001:"Circles in the Sand" received first prize in the watercolour section, South Waikato Artsfest.
2000: Bay of Plenty Combined Arts Societies Exhibition: Merit Award.
2000: Cambridge National Art Awards: Merit Award.
2000: DoC Conservation Week: First Prize in Painting and Poetry competition.