On the northern edge of the Canterbury Plains, you will find Amy Hoedemakers and her studio. Nestled in the natural landscape that provides much of the inspiration for her abstract landscape paintings, this established artist creates atmospheric paintings that allow the viewer to enter and wander within.
Her work is familiar to aspects of the New Zealand landscape, yet not entirely obvious to specific places. Capturing the dreamy, dramatic and mystical quality, that is the New Zealand landscape. The water appears translucent as though we can see through it to what lies beneath and what’s there is left to our imagination. We are compelled to look into the deep dark pools of her paintings and are drawn in towards luminous colour. We can see where she has scraped back the paint and applied more, creating exquisite, transparent layers. She allows the paint to run and yet there is no doubt that the runs are part of the landscape. Her paintings draw us in, inviting us to linger, leaving behind our busy lives for a moment. Amy’s painting's give us a glimpse into another world, a sanctuary, a place to rest.
“My painting is always evolving,” Amy says. “I think as you grow as a person your work changes too. It’s quite reflective in that aspect.”
She has exhibited in solo and group shows locally and internationally. Her work is held in private and public collections within New Zealand, Ireland, England and Australia. Her painting 'Waiting' was featured in 'Craigs Investment Partners Calendar, 2015' for emerging and emerged artists and more recently she was a finalist for the Zonta Ashburton Female Art Award 2018.
