Kerikeri, Northland, New Zealand is blessed with orchards growing all sorts of juicy and delicious fruit. In the cooler days of winter, I am filled with joy to see the abundance of oranges ripening on the trees.  I love the varieties of citrus that grow and glow between the shelter belts here. ​

Orbs of Sunshine 18 x 18

Orange is the New Black oil on canvas 30 x 30

This series of paintings began during  the 2021 Covid lockdown--those wintery, dark, doubting days. One day I wandered into the orchard behind the oldest building in New Zealand, the Stone Store. I thought about the first European settlers living in the Kemp House, and how they must have prayed for deliverance, good harvests, and health. I took refuge here and painted the oranges to bring their radiant vitality into my uncertain world, as the Kemp family must have. I associate happiness and warm memories with these brilliant spheres that emerge from cool blue shadows, fanned by their green foliage. 

Tangelos 20 x 30 NFS

Tangy Tangelos oil 12 x 30

More Oranges