THREE YEARS AGO I RETURNED HOME TO NEW ZEALAND FROM RUSSIA. MY HUSBAND WAS POSTED TO NEW ZEALAND’S EMBASSY IN MOSCOW. I QUICKLY OVERCAME MY RESERVATIONS (THE COLD, THE UNFRIENDLY PEOPLE, THE BLAND FOOD, THE GRIM BUILDINGS ETC) TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ODD COMBINATION OF AUSTERITY AND GRANDEUR, THE WARM PEOPLE THE ANCIENT CHURCHES AND THE ATMOSPHERIC BUILDINGS .
I set up a studio in the ambassadorial residence and had a productive three years sending dozens of paintings home and holding three solo shows .
I met and was inspired by veteran fundraiser Shona McGrahan who has done amazing work with childrens’ charities for many years. It has been a pleasure to give back to a country which gave me so much . My painting Mahoney is winging her way as I write and will be auctioned off next week at a charity extravaganza to benefit the “big change” international charity , which helps Russian orphans transition from institutional life into paid employment and a life beyond state care .