About
The Oxford dictionary defines a loft as traditionally an attic or room over a stable. Art Loft Studio is a small building which sits firmly on the ground and is situated in paradise. It was a haven for another artist before me and was moved to its current location where it now serves as a studio and gallery to welcome visitors.
Exhibitions
- “Art is Identity” Group Exhibition, Hauraki House Coromandel 2025
- Adam Portraiture Awards Finalist, New Zealand Portrait Gallery 2010, 2012, 2018, 2022, 2024
- Highly Commended, Adam Awards 2022
- Mercury Bay Art Escape Open Studios, Coromandel Peninsula 2011 – 2024
- Artists Choice Award, Mercury Bay Art Escape 2021
- National PANZ Exhibition Arrowtown 2023
- National PANZ Exhibition Stratford 2019
- National PANZ Exhibition Morrinsville 2018
- National PANZ Exhibition Mapua 2016
- National PANZ Exhibition Auckland 2013
- Kings College Sale of Fine Arts Exhibition 2005, 2006, 2007
- Doreen Bawden Portrait Award – Auckland East Arts Society 2005
- Art By the Sea Gallery, Auckland – 2005
- Fishers Fine Arts, Auckland 2004
- “On the Rocks” – Solo exhibition, ArtPad Onehunga 2004
- Upstairs Gallery of Fine Arts, Whitianga 2003
- The Church, Hahei 2002
- Summer Exhibition, Mairangi Bay Arts Centre Auckland 2002
Raewyn Helms-Davis
I have been painting and drawing portraits for as long as I can remember. After an extensive career in Graphic Design my interest in portraiture eventually became a vocation and I worked for many years specialising in portraits of children. My portraits have been included in many exhibitions and I have been a finalist in the Adams Portraiture Awards on five occasions.
I am of European and Ngai Tahu descent, and am currently working on a series of portraits which explores whakapapa and the blending of Maori and European culture in modern New Zealand. An exhibition of this work will be showing at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from March – June in 2027.
Living on the Coromandel Peninsula I am surrounded by beautiful scenery and beaches, and am fortunate to have infinite inspiration for my coastal landscape paintings close by. I love to discover the beautiful colours, textures and harmony in the designs that nature has created, and then the challenge of finding the best way to share this in my painting.
There has been a huge increase in the popularity of pastel use in recent years. It is an especially good medium for achieving the life-like detail that I strive for in portraits and much of my work. I conduct pastel workshops for people wishing to learn the technique of pastel layering and how to achieve different results with the many pastel papers available. I am available to travel to your location for groups of five or more people for a pastel workshop.
I am a member of PANZ (Pastel Artists of New Zealand) and a long-time member of the Mercury Bay Art Escape group. If you are travelling to the Coromandel area I would be delighted to meet you and share my current projects. See the Contact page for details to arrange a visit to Art Loft Studio, or to enquire about a painting, portrait commission or a pastel workshop.