I've been doing art for four years. It's calming and fun and I have fallen in love with it. There have been times where I have hated it, however the outcome of my art keeps me going. It's an easy way to express myself to some degree, and I enjoy telling stories that are close to me and my life. This painting is an inspiration from my art board last year. It is about my great great grandmother who was Ahumai Te Paerata. She fought alongside her people to keep their land. She was a great woman and her story about the Battle of Ōrākau has inspired me to fight for my whanau. I think the best thing that happened to me with my art, is when I sold a painting for the first time. It really helped me appreciate my art.
