“In April 2020, after 11 years of pretty much painting full-time five days a week & creating a large online presence, creating guidance cards, holding regular art workshops & retreats , & building a successful career out of my art, I decided, after feeling overwhelmed & burnt out, to take an extended period of time off and paint soley and only for me.(as opposed to painting to sell). I had no idea how long this would last and I didn’t retreat completely, I still posted my art online but it was merely to share my expressions of my inward journey. Amazingly ,these artworks all sold. This surprised me, as I had a complete change of direction and theme for my artwork… I painted women’s faces, faces from my imagination, faces from my meditations, faces with symbols & totems, faces with abstract shapes & nature. I emerged from this cocoon in about July of 2021…. I was over faces lol!In March of 2021 I went on a magical trip to the South Island of NZ with my husband , and it had a profound effect on me. I took 3-4 months to process , to sit with it all before starting on my series on the bold unapologetic terrain of this raw untouched land, it was palpable, the energy of it was in me. The effect was that I actually change not only the theme of what I was painting, but my style as well , this land begged for simple lines and no fuss, not something I was used to! I started with the Milford Sound & Moeraki Boulders, and it soon evolved into stylised landscapes & random rocks, layers of land, more so echoing the Coromandel Peninsula as the months past, and of course injecting my adoration for the ocean in with them. Layers. Depth. Pieces of the puzzle. Stepping Stones onward … the Journey is ongoing & evolving with every creative experiment. Because let’s face it every piece I do IS an experiment. As an Intuitive Painter there is no planning or conscious thought as to how or what a ‘result’ will look or feel like, it is just starting and going with that flow, and I know the feeling… when it’s ‘right’”
Right now? Outdoor butterfly art is where I’m at! – in progress..
My Guidance Cards are now 13x9cm . (and 400gsm card stock with a silk finish).
My original vision for these cards was this larger size, but at the time , 3 years ago, I couldn’t find anywhere to print this size , near here, that was cost effective. Finally , I’ve found somewhere and I’m thrilled with the results, they look amazing!
They are exactly the same as before, just bigger, and I think, better 🙂
If you are in the area, or know you are coming and would like to see what I have on offer, please either contact me here using the Contact Form below, or message me in FaceBook here:
Ideas to do in the area: Hot Water Beach -Catherdral Cove walk -Lost Springs Thermal Hot pools -Whitianga) Glass Bottom Boat- Whitianga
PRICING For more information regarding workshops & retreats & costs, please use the Contact form below, .
Or, I do have some weekend retreats available, July , Aug & September 2025 , if you want a quick idea / overview of costings , or to book , click on link below:
I ALSO OFFER THIS AS A ONE ON ONE VIDEO CALL /ZOOM SESSION. (Please use the form below for costs) orCLICK HEREfor more info
With almost 30 years of self employment (in 4 businesses) under my belt, I’ll share with you how I made my art my business using Social Media, (and other online sites) & how I increased art sales online with a relatively small following, and then built that following up with genuine, authentic input. How I built a global following (from New Zealand) and that translated into regular art sales across the world. Also, how to make the most of the followers you do have, rather than constantly trying to gain more.
3 hour or full day (bring your own device) workshops.
Can be one on one, or groups. ( video call sessions available)
(TESTIMONIALS BELOW)
PRICING Because there are so many variants with these bespoke courses, it is very difficult to put set prices up. Please use the CONTACT form below to discuss your /your groups needs with me, and I can give you a firm cost for everything, or we can custom something to suit your budget 🙂
“Ive attended two of Reinas workshops now on social media and promoting business and found both to be very valuable. Reina clearly understands how to use social media and gets her point across simply and effectively with practical examples which are relevant to someone running a business and not someone who has a fascination with the inner workings of Facebook or Instagram for the sake of it.
As a working artist who relies heavily on social media I would definitely recommend her sessions”
-Ian Preece-Trustee (Chairperson) Mercury Bay Art Escape
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I have had 2 Skype sessions with Reina now, on developing my art into a business. I have got so much out of it, I started knowing very little about the business side and how to market myself in an effective way. Reina showed me how to do this in a time and cost effective way. I love how she is real about the struggles, gives relevent info according to where you are at because she has been there. It was easy, enjoyable and loved connecting with her. Thank you Reina!
Maia- Canada
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I spent a half day with Reina in her studio learning all her tricks, we used an array of mediums, stencils, acrylic, inks, spray paint and much more. It was honestly the best 3 hours Ive had with regard to my art and feeling brave enough to try different things. I learned so much! Over the following months Im going to apply these techniques to my own art and I havent felt this excited about art in ages! Thank you Reina! -Marion Burton
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“MY ART WILL BE DISCOVERED.” If I keep working in my studio someone will discover me. No they wont!!!. Exposure equals success. Reina will be able to walk you thru the ins and outs of online marketing, & building your presense in an ever increasing online art world. Reina has inspired me to learn more about what I need to do to make this all happen, and with her support I have been successful with online selling and advertising.”
-Wendy Walls- Artist
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“The best thing I ever did was invest in a full day workshop with Reina. She knew how to connect with everyone and was very attentive and patient with all our individual needs. I learned so many new techniques that has helped my art to progress to the next level which, as a beginner, was what I was hoping for. Love her attitude & sense of humour too! Cant wait for the next one!” -Cheryl Lovegrove- Artist ….. “Reina’s social media workshop is so practicaland informative. She uses live examples of her own successful social media strategies which is so helpful for all aritsts sellling their work through social media. channels! Totally ecommend Reina.” -Kathryn Tsui – former Curator & Administrator of the Mercury Bay Art Escape. ….. “We were very pleased to have Reina as our workshop tutor last year. She was generous in sharing her techniques using stencils, rollers, overlaying, blending and fine work with free flowing inks & paint. Reina did a group demonstration and also gave us all individual attention. We all came away inspired and some of us have continued with inks and others are using the techniques learned . I would highly recommend Reina as a tutor .” -Rachael Churton Morrinsville Lyceum Club
…. “I have been an artist for twenty years and approx four years ago I recognised the need to build a social media platform to grow my sales and my brand. Knowing little in this area I met with Reina Cottier and spent an outstanding day with her in Tairua to build my understanding of this outlet. Reina’s knowledge and expertise was simply amazing and she set me on a path to significantly improve my sales results and to enjoy more success without the reliance on galleries who take a substantial amount of my sale price as commission. I am so grateful to Reina for sharing her expertise and ongoing support. I strongly recommend her to you if you are wishing to grow your art business. -Gaylene Lonergan- Artist …
I have just returned from 2 weeks in Peru, and 2 days in Bolivia. An epic adventure, non stop experiences, a visual feast, awesome people, not really adequate words available to describe the experience, or feeling one has whilst there. Vibrancy, depth, history, passion, sacred, ancient, connected, energy… it was a once in a lifetime journey, I will never forget. Cant wait to start painting, and see what evolves.
The final video, from conception to install. A collation of some of the videos I took along the way, in the 4 and half months it took to complete this awesome project.
Feeling really attached to this lil guy, he carries the very special energy of the Bali Elephant Sanctuary I went to on my recent art retreat Bali trip. All the elephants were rescued from Sumatra where the jungles are being desecrated for palm oil. 😦 I used powers, inks predominantly, with some acrylic.
I have had a huge amount of butterflies fly into, around and over me lately. I always have at least 2 butterflies in progress. This mixed media piece is about 3/4 done. I love the pop of orange 🙂
Occasionally I like to write, time constraints mean that Id far rather spend my time painting, or being artistic in a colourful messy way, but Ive just returned from an amazing art retreat in the stunningly beautiful Bali. Whilst there, Tracy Verdugo (who ran the retreat “Sacred Marks”) got us to sit for around 20 mins, and using inspiration bundles, we expressed a word, or a line of what ever the feeling we got was per piece. AS a result I found myself caught up in a wave of unstoppable expression (HA, I was worried I wouldnt even be able to form more than 4-5 lines!), that went for almost 4 pages!
Here is an example of a couple of my poems….
This, just finished, is a commissioned peacock from a wonderful friend of mine
from my school days.
There is something really liberating about using these colours, something uplfiting
and joyous. Reminded me of a carnival.
hi all, Just a quick post, here is the link to a fab piece written about me & my arty endeavours. Also mentions a very large project coming up that I am in the middle of sorting…..
Every now and then I have what I call a ‘shift’ in my creative expression
This was one of them 🙂 This magical goddess appeared suddenly while I was fluffing around with mixed media, having my usual fun, music blasting, half dancing, swaying around the studio… boom, there she was 🙂 !!
Wow i thought… this is something I really resonate with, something I can get VERY excited about. I knew she was going to be the first in a series… the ‘Inner Goddes’ series, number One. How very satisfying.
She is availbale for purchase Please message me if interested.
reinacottier@gmail.com
After a somewhat prolific painting period in Feb/MArch, I was so pleased to be able to have some of these on display for the Mercury Bay Art Escape (Studio tour) recently. Also happy that some sold, and some are going to 2 separate galleries in our region.
I am totally loving my new abstract pieces, harking back to my first days of painting, and combining with some techniques both learned/inspired from others, and also self discovery as I go.
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and last but not least , a commission I completed for a man who owns a Bed & Breakfast on the shores of our beautiful Lake Taupo, named after our native owl, ‘Ruru’, with views of the lake, and Mt’s Tongariro, Ngarahoe & Ruapehu. He asked for the owl to be the feature and for it to be set at night….I was really pleased with how it turned out.
I barely know where to start…. after having 6 weeks of no creativity thru end of December and January 2016 (kids on summer school holidays here in New Zealand), I have thrown myself back into it with a vengeance and so much stored up creative ideas, its like I cant stop and nor do i want to!
So this year has been about breaking thru some boundaries I was starting to get stuck in with my art last year. I still LOVE my precise detailing and fine lines, but I needed and wanted to do something alot freer and alot faster, so im having day on, day off with commissions (precise detailing taking alot of focus and time) and this new technique i hahve literally thrown myself into. Fast, no thinking, mixed media, ink, stencils, sticks, scrapers, acrylic, enamel spray and anything else i can get my hands on…. layers and layers of detail, to then use it for inspo to pick out something, in this case peacocks. 🙂
This first one is in progress, still have some to do, but its pretty much there,… totally LOVED these, they satisfied the aspect of me that is messy, uncontrolled, i even used my left hand (I am right handed) for some of it to make sure it was naive and not contrived in anyway.
In progress:
This is a Karearea (New Zealand Falcon, native bird of NZ), this is the second one i have painted, REALLY love the powerful energy that comes thru with these glorious birds.
and i started this whale tail yesterday… been wanting to do one for about a year, and finally felt an uncontrollable urge.
Colouring Book- 23 pages, combines my books One & Two, with 3 NEW images.
Falcon, Kiwi and my Maori/pacifica inspired design, Legend.
Beautiful images with a distinct Pacific/Native/Cultural art feel to them.
Each image taken from my original paintings. 23 Images. A4 size.
Each page has a blank reverse side, so can be removed from book and displayed if desired.
Images include: various NZ/pacific island inspireddesigns, falcon, kiwi, seahorse, lotus, angel,2 x owl, peacock, dolphin, elephant, whale, tui bird, tribal moon goddess, hibiscus. -scroll thru pics to see them all.
Reina Cottier Art 