Meet the artists

Lopdell Precinct invites the studio artists registered for Open Studios Waitakere Weekend 2026 to participate in a preview exhibition which will be open to the public.

The aim of the exhibition is to enhance the profile of the weekend event and promote the participating studio artists. The works will be displayed in the Seminar room on level 1 of Lopdell House.

Andrew makes a full range of earthenware tableware and stoneware soda glazed more experimental work. Jeannie handcuts both terracotta and porcelain tiles to form 'phrases' on the wall.

Angela creates vibrant paintings characterised by bold, saturated colours and dynamic gestures. Angela is passionate about creating art that elicits emotional response and inspires discussion. Limited and open edition reproductions will be available to view and purchase, as well as originals on board, art calendars and greeting cards.

Anna Crichton, Tanya Wilkinson, Lesley Jenkin, Liz Mitchell and Yoko Onishi are collaborating to bring you a a wonderful range of cartoons, ceramics, jewellery and innovative wool creations. All artists will be on hand to talk about their process, materials and inspiration, offering visitors a hands-on look at five different approaches to five very different art forms.

Maria Podskrebko is the artist behind Awaroa Rd Jewellery in Laingholm. She creates distinctive, handcrafted jewellery using titanium, niobium, natural stones and vintage gemstone beads. Expanding into lapidary, Maria now hand-cuts many of her stones in her studio. Her process-led work celebrates natural materials, individuality, craftsmanship and the stories behind each piece.

Book Art Studios is a working studio where bookmaking techniques meet a love of paper and colour.  Neighbours walking past are often treated to a washing line filled with hand-dyed paper! Liz has over 20 years’ experience in bookmaking and will have both handmade and published books for sale.

Bree is an oil painter, exploring colour and intricate brushwork while trying to convey the personality and individuality of our native birds. Originals and prints available, works in progress as well as finished pieces.

Bryn is a multimedia artist currently working with ceramics. His practice combines photography, lino cutting, painting and sculpture to create unique hand made tiles of local architecture. Bryn will have a variety of recent works for sale as well as displaying the process he has been using and developing.

Donny Grahamer is an American born painter living and working in Waitakere ranges. He found painting as a  further means of self expression outside of his career in the film and TV industry. Donny's work isn't just a study of the world around him, but a deconstruction of the world he is passing through. His work is a study and celebration, of life, movement and colour.

Judi’s jewellery is influenced and inspired by the beauty of nature around us in Waitākere and the intricate design of natural materials - bone, horn, feathers, leaves etc. Judi uses mainly silver, copper, perspex, wood, horn, bone and occasional found objects. She aims for her work to be a little intriguing but wearable.

Painting as ‘darkugh’, Daryl creates bright, stylised, graffiti‑infused mixed‑media work. He began selling at the Titirangi Market over 20 years ago and has been refining his distinctive, character‑driven illustrative style ever since. Expect fun!

Davy's Cottage has offered studio space to visiting artists for many years. This year several past artists have been invited back to further create and display their work. Painting, jewellery, and assemblage will be on display.

Dean is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable and prolific painters. For over 30 years, his technically brilliant oils have captured the colour, geometry and beauty of our landscapes and natural world. Inspired by an active life spent cycling, climbing and exploring the bush, Dean paints with unmistakable energy and passion.

Derek’s love of nature and concern for the conservation of the natural environment is reflected in his work. This year he is exhibiting drawings, paintings and sculpture at Matuku Link, featuring recent and older work, some of which will be for sale. Matuku Link is a wetland restoration project in the Waitākere River catchment. Along with viewing the work you might like to enjoy a self-guided walk in the restored wetland habitat, or to take a guided tour, available both days at 11am and 1pm. No dogs please.

Edward has been designing and making fine furniture for over 40 years. Working primarily in wood to create furniture and objects drawn from the traditions of the modern designer craftsman that explore ways to express an essence of NZ.

Rosie Carson creates contemporary jewellery designs using a mixture of natural materials and precious metals. She has a passion for gemstones so expect to see plenty on display, in both rough and polished form. If you have ever wondered how stones are polished you can have a go at hand-poilshing a specimen while you visit.

Sian Faber’s mixed media paintings and mosaics bring a little Spanish flavour to her Exhibition Drive studio. Inspired by time in Andalusia, her work captures the movement of flamenco dancers, the patterns of their dresses and the energy of the sea. Visit her studio for her first Open Studios exhibition.

Guy is a watercolour and graphite artist. The subjects he chooses are for no other reasons than to give pleasure and to celebrate the medium he is working in. Guy looks forward to converting his garage into a gallery and welcoming visitors. Original framed and unframed works for sale.

Fine art photographer Hayley Theyers explores fairytale and esoteric themes across still life, tableaux, studio portraiture, and filmmaking. Visit her workspace to explore her process, browse framed limited-edition prints, and enjoy the chance for a select few guests and/or their pets to be photographed as part of the open studio experience.

Helen creates colour-rich, layered paintings featuring soft, overlapping forms and planes, sweeping curves and painterly marks. Step inside Helen’s colour-filled home studio and see large scale artworks on canvas, and work on paper.

Jago Neal is a mixed-media artist, illustrator and photographer, and the Manager of Kumeū Arts. Working from his home studio and darkroom, his practice combines photography, drawing, painting and collage, with a focus on experimentation. During the Open Studio weekend, Jago will be making new work using photo transfer techniques. Framed photography, original artworks and photo tiles will also be available for purchase.

Jenny Tomlin is a passionate pinhole photographer making cameras from recycled objects from matchboxes to wheelie bins, also photograms and lumens. Visitors can expect demonstration of practice, works in progress, as well as limited editions and prints for sale.

Jessica’s medium is textiles, water colours, and ceramic. She is interested in light and colour, sometimes representing local landscapes in abstract.

Karen Jarvis is a painter and photographer whose work explores memory and unspoken narratives. Visitors can see paintings and photos, purchase prints and copies of her art and photography books, and view samples of her Photobook Memoir work.

Ceramic artist Karen Kennedy creates brightly painted animal sculptures with a playful, comic edge, while Pauline Allpress makes colourful beaded jewellery and decorative pieces. These artists will be joined by Neena Buksh with her Pottery and home made produce.

Established Auckland artist Katherine Simpson creates layered contemporary paintings that explore the relationship between abstraction, landscape and subtle figurative forms. With a painting practice spanning many years and a return to exhibiting in 2026, her space offers visitors an insight into her evolving process of building, removing and revealing layers. Original works will be available to view and purchase.

Kris is a self taught artist, painting landscapes en plein air using chalk pastels. Her inspiration is being in nature, capturing the interplay of colour and form and the changing energy that animates it.

Karin has been working as a glass artist since 1989, including lamp shades, windows, mirrors, sculptures and jewellery. The curvilinear shapes found in nature form the basis for her functional, contemporary glass art. Visitors to Karin’s studio will see her tiffany/copper-foil work being demonstrated.

A multi-media environmental artist who lives in Karekare, Mandy has a passionate relationship with her local environment. Her current work focuses largely on deforestation and habitat loss in New Zealand, and the plight of many endangered native species. 

Maxine works with textile art forms, abstract canvases, sculpture and ceramics, entering into exhibitions each year. Her recent work focuses on contemporary tribal people and oversized textile and ceramic fish wall hangings. Maxine’s work is found in foyers, restaurants, private and corporate collections throughout the world.