Mixed Melodies: Celebrating New Zealand's Forest Birds
Artist Statement: I began this collection with a series of ten 12” x 12” studies focused on a variety of small New Zealand forest birds, collectively titled Mixed Melodies. These paintings are characterised by the birds’ radiant colours, capturing the effect of sunlight glowing on their feathers. To ensure the birds remain the focal point, the backgrounds are kept minimal, allowing their vibrant presence to take centre stage.
Tomtit - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Tomtit is known for its lively presence, often seen perched momentarily on low branches before swiftly moving on. It brings a sense of energy and playfulness to the quiet forest. For many, these birds are bearers of good news.
Available for purchase.
NZ Sacred Kingfisher - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The New Zealand Sacred Kingfisher perched patiently on the fence wire. Its vibrant plumage shimmered in the first rays of sunlight. For many, the Kōtare represents peace, prosperity, and a reminder to find clarity and purpose in the quiet moments—guiding us to wait, observe, and trust the right time to leap forward.
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South Island Robin - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The South Island Robin is often seen as a symbol of resilience and hope. It has a curious nature and friendly presence in the forest.
Rock Wren - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Rock Wren is often seen as a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Living in remote alpine environments, this tiny bird represents courage, determination, and the ability to thrive despite adversity.
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Rifleman - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The NZ Rifleman symbolises resilience and adaptability. Despite its tiny size, this native bird is known for its energy, agility, and resourcefulness.
Bellbird - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The NZ Bellbird, known for its melodious song, is often seen as a symbol of life and vitality.
Waxeye/Silvereye - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Waxeye, also known as the Silvereye or Tauhou, is a small, lively bird recognised by its distinctive white eye-ring and olive-green plumage. The Waxeye is often seen flitting among branches in pairs or small groups.
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Shining Cuckoo - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Shining Cuckoo has iridescent green plumage and a distinctive high-pitched call. This tiny migratory cuckoo is often heard before it is seen, arriving in spring to herald the warmer months. Its secretive nature and shimmering feathers add a touch of magic to native woodlands.
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Whitehead - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Whitehead is traditionally seen as a symbol of clarity, purity, and communication, thanks to its bright plumage and melodious song.
Fantail - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The New Zealand Fantail is often seen as a messenger; its lively movements are thought to bring news or signal change. The fantail is also associated with adaptability and cheerfulness, reflecting its energetic behavior and ability to thrive in many environments.
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Curious Tomtit - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A Tomtit rests quietly in the palm, capturing moments of trust, wonder, and peaceful co-existence.
Available for purchase
The Dragonfly’s Gaze - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A dragonfly hovers delicately above the palm, its iridescent wings shimmering in the dappled light. The moment is fleeting yet profound, capturing a sense of quiet anticipation and gentle wonder.
Fleeting Moments - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A Fantail lands on the finger, its agile movements embodying curiosity and playfulness. The gentle exchange evokes a sense of harmony, reminding us of the delicate balance required to foster mutual respect with the creatures of our forests.
Harmony and Connection - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A Monarch Butterfly hovers delicately above the palm, its vibrant orange wings catching the light as it pauses in gentle balance. This moment embodies both grace and the quiet wonder of encountering nature up close, inviting reflection on the fragile beauty shared between human and insect.
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Courage - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A New Zealand Sacred Kingfisher rests quietly in the palm, its vibrant blue-green plumage glinting softly in the light. The bird’s stillness reflects a rare moment of courage, inviting a sense of peaceful connection and awe at the beauty of native wildlife.
Watchful - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
In the heart of the forest stands the mighty stag, regal and watchful, his antlers serving as a perch for the clever Rifleman bird. Hovering nearby, a Monarch butterfly flits delicately around his nose, whispering news carried on the wind. With the Rifleman chirping secrets from the canopy and the Monarch signalling changes in the breeze, these two tiny forest friends act as his spies, each delivering messages about the world hidden amongst the trees. But today, it’s the Rifleman whose keen eyes spot something vital, a warning only the stag can understand, keeping him one step ahead.
Original Not For Sale.
The Wild - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A stag and a deer stand together in a quiet forest clearing, their bodies poised and alert. Startled by an unseen presence, both animals freeze, gazes locked on the viewer as if you’ve just entered their world. The moment captures a sense of wild connection and stillness—a fleeting, intimate encounter with nature in the mysterious and beautiful forest.
New Life - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
A tender moment between a fallow deer and her fawn, touching noses in a gentle gesture of connection and affection. Set against a soft pink backdrop as a symbol of love and peace, celebrating the arrival of new life in the heart of the forest.
Freedom - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
She gazes serenely into the future. What distant desire does she long for? A Sacred Kingfisher, the Kōtare, flies past her, perhaps guiding her to wait, observe, and trust the right time to will come for her good fortune and success in all she dreams of.
Enchantment - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
The Monarch butterflies flutter delicately around her as she lies in total enchantment, the morning light illuminating her as the fawn keeps watch. She gives herself permission to slow down and take a moment to enjoy all the beauty around her.
Curiosity - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
Immersed in a daydream filled with the wisdom whispered by leaves and the gentle advice of roots hidden below. Moths, with their fragile wings and brief lives, embody the essence of life's journey. Yet, their quest for light through darkness reflects resilience and adaptability.
Enigma. - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
In the heart of the forest, the stag emerges as a symbol of strength and protection—a figure both wild and free, embodying the untamed spirit of nature. Around her, bees move purposefully, diligently gathering pollen as they carry out their daily work. Above, petals drift gently through the air, settling softly and adding to the quiet beauty of the scene. She sits in silent contemplation, reflecting on the profound mysteries that nature holds. This moment captures a delicate balance: the powerful presence of the stag, the industrious bees, and the subtle rain of petals, all woven together in a meditation on the wonder and enigma of the natural world.
Enlightened - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
Lost in a daydream, she reflected on the mysteries of nature and the quiet lessons whispered by the forest. She understood then that this tapestry of creatures and quiet wonder was not only a vision to behold, but also a promise: that patience, courage, and gentle hope would guide her toward the fulfilment of distant dreams.
Trust. - An original oil painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
She sat on the rock wall, her arm outstretched, inviting her winged friends to rest for a moment and enjoy the sunset. Her serene presence created an atmosphere of calm, allowing the birds to relax and feel secure in her company. The gentle trust between them was evident in the way they perched, reassured by her quiet confidence and kindness.
NFS - ARTIST'S OWN COLLECTION
Harmony - Original Oil Painting by New Zealand Artist Tara Rountree
At the break of dawn, in the ancient grove where sunlight slipped quietly through the clouds, she sat wrapped in peaceful contemplation. In her hands, she gently cradled a rabbit, and together they shared a moment of almost silent communion. The cool morning air lingered around them, carrying with it a sense of serenity and quiet promise.
NFS - ARTIST'S OWN COLLECTION
My Process
I frequently generate ideas during walks along nearby nature trails. I intentionally choose to walk in silence, refraining from listening to music or podcasts, which allows me to reflect and think creatively.
I often reflect on the wonders and mysteries of nature, and how we relate to them through stories and traditions about the symbolic meanings of birds, animals, and insects that have been handed down over generations. This is what ignites the creative spark behind my artwork.
My use of colour is inspired by Borque and impressionist art, and I work in an abstract realism style for creative freedom. This approach lets me amplify colours and adjust subject sizes, which I see as a key advantage of artistic expression.
My paintings are developed through a mixed media approach. I begin by applying multiple layers of water-based materials, such as acrylic inks, paints, marker pens, spray paints, and pencils, which serve to establish depth and visual intrigue.
For the final stages, I utilise oil paints and solid oil sticks to define my subjects, leveraging the rich pigmentation and vibrancy of oil mediums to enliven the overall composition.
Symbols and Artistic Intentions.
Throughout this series, I have come to realise that the subjects I choose to paint each carry unique symbolic meanings.
Birds represent freedom; butterflies symbolise transformation and the journey of life; the stag stands for wisdom and guidance; moths embody vulnerability and resilience; flowers reflect love, beauty, and rebirth; bees are a symbol of healing; and the rabbit signifies vulnerability, new life, and abundance.
I am drawn to vibrant colours, and as the collection has evolved, I have become increasingly fascinated by capturing the glow of light as it plays through and around the subjects.
I hope that viewers can find solace and inspiration in my artworks, perhaps even choosing a piece to bring into their own home as a gentle reminder to pause, find quiet, and spark conversation—adding colour and intrigue to their living spaces.
