artists
every piece has a story, and every story begins with an artist
KĀPITI COAST, NEW ZEALAND · CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTIST
Tracey Purkis
Tracey Purkis is a Kāpiti Coast visual artist and art teacher whose colourful paintings explore nature, light and the hidden stories held within a landscape. Drawing on a life shaped by travel, she creates richly layered works that invite viewers to slow down, look closely and discover what lies beneath the surface.
about
Tracey Purkis’ practice is grounded in close observation and a deep appreciation of the natural world.
Having lived and travelled extensively throughout the United Kingdom, Africa and Southeast Asia, Tracey’s experiences overseas have shaped the way she sees and responds to her surroundings.
From the shadowed canopies of the Borneo jungle to the brilliant, sharp light of her New Zealand backyard, diverse environments have inspired her fascination with capturing the atmosphere and character of place.
Returning home strengthened Tracey’s connection to the local landscape and provided a rich new narrative for her practice as an artist in Aotearoa.
Her work centres on stylised observations of nature, brought to life through vibrant colour, thoughtful composition and carefully considered light.
Birds frequently appear within her paintings, reflecting a fascination that began in childhood. They sit among foliage, shadow and colour as both familiar subjects and quiet discoveries waiting to be found.
With a background in Visual Communication Design, Tracey brings a strong understanding of composition and visual storytelling to each piece. Depth is built through layered forms, shifts in light and carefully positioned details.
Hidden taonga and subtle visual treasures are often embedded within her paintings, rewarding close attention and encouraging viewers to uncover the stories resting beneath the surface.
Alongside her own practice, Tracey works as a visual art teacher, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for creativity with others.
Her paintings remind us that the more closely we look at the world around us, the more there is to discover.
Because sometimes the smallest hidden detail holds the beginning of an entirely new story.
Tracey Purkis
Two tūī curve around bright kōwhai flowers in a joyful balance of colour and movement.
In Yin and yang, Tracey Purkis brings together golden yellow blossoms, rich blue skies and the shimmering greens and blues of tūī feathers. The birds face towards one another from opposing positions, their curved forms creating a flowing rhythm among hanging flowers and seed pods.
The painting celebrates spring and new beginnings, with winter giving way to warm sunshine and blue sky days. Delicate flowers and lively birds capture the energy of a garden coming into bloom.
Its uplifting palette would bring warmth and colour to a living room, dining area or entranceway, pairing beautifully with neutral walls and natural timber.
Joyful · Balanced · Vibrant
Acrylic on stretched canvas · 50 cm wide × 50 cm high × 3.5 cm deep · Ready to hang
room images show Yin and yang alongside other works by Tracey Purkis. Each artwork is sold individually.