New Zealand semi-abstract still-life oil painter based in Hawke's Bay.
When I’m not painting you can find me working at EIT IDEAschool. I also freelance as a Squarespace website designer/developer helping busy designers build websites.
I also work across textiles(mostly stitching) and craft jewellery
Natalie (Ngaio) Blackwood - Creator of dust + moss designs and a fine artist
Bio
I grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand then moved north to study. Receiving a Bachelor (Hons) in fine arts (painting) from Massey University, Wellington followed by post-grad in library science. I now spend as much time as I can in my Napier home studio. Previously I have worked in marketing, graphic design, librarianship, administration, and education.
I’ve been showing and selling my work since graduating from art school and occasionally teach workshops or at EIT. I started using stitching in my fine art practice after my son was born. I have a multidisciplinary practice spanning oil painting and modern craft while offering Squarespace website help for artists and development for busy designers.
I have a particular interest in the arts and crafts movement, portraiture through objects, and the process of making things by hand.
I’m a former board member for Creative Arts Napier + former member of the Hawke’s Bay Embroidery Guild + Extensions group.
Stockist
Tennyson Gallery
Artist C.V
Natalie Ngaio Rue Blackwood (Simpson)
b. 1985, Christchurch, NZ
Lives and works in Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Education
2007 - Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting (Hons), Massey University, Wellington, NZ
Solo/Duo Exhibitions
2024 - Shirley, Pop up exhibition, Atawhai, Taradale, Napier
2023 - Open Studio, Hawke’s Bay Arts Trail with Emily Armstrong, Napier
2019 - Art House, The Rabbit Room Gallery with Richard Wotton, Napier
2016 - Flight, Franklin Community Gallery, Pukekohe
2013 - Garage Exhibition, Auckland
2012 - Artist in residence and exhibition at Incubator, Waiheke Island
2011 - Blackbird, Upcycle, Waiheke Island
2007 - Test pot, DAF106, with Richard Simmonds, Wellington
Group Exhibitions
2024 - Arts Trail Exhibition, Creative Arts Napier, Napier
2024 - Hawke’s Bay Art Guide Exhibition, Arts Inc, Hastings
2024 - Artfully yours - Arts Inc, Hastings
2023 - Harcourts Artex National Exhibition, Elephant Hill Winery, Hawke’s Bay
2023 - Hawke’s Bay Art Guide Showcase, Creative Arts Napier, Napier
2022 - Changing Threads, Refinery Arts Space, Nelson
2021 - Orbital, Creative Arts Napier, Napier
2020 - Almost Famous, Creative Arts Napier, Napier
2018 - Textile sampler for the exhibition X-Marks, Conversations in Cloth, Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
2016 - HB shorts art competition, Creative Arts, Napier
2016 - Made of Snow, Steel Gallery, Franklin Art Centre, Pukekohe
2015 - Hibiscus & Bays art awards, Mairangi Arts Centre, Auckland
2012 - Spring Exhibition, NorthART Gallery, Auckland
2011 - The Pre-Christmas $100 (or less) show, NorthART Gallery, Auckland
2010 - Gifthorse, Firehorse film studios, Auckland
2008 - I like sex and I'm a girl, DAF106, Wellington
2007 - Exposure, Massey University Grad show, Wellington
Workshops + Teaching
2024 - L4 + L6 Art | EIT
2023 - REcreate - Stitching for play - Hastings Sports Centre
2023 - Websites for creatives: 50 ideas to get you started, Creative Arts Napier
2021 - Kids and Teen embroidery workshops, Creative Arts Napier
2021 - Embroidery 101 and 102, Creative Arts Napier
2019 - Unframed artist series, The Pencil Room, Napier
2019 - Embroidery with Kids, MTG, Napier
2016 - Freestyle stitch, Franklin Art Centre, Pukekohe
Jewellery Collection
2012 - Dawn, hand-tatted lace jewellery
Memberships
Friend of MTG
Hawke’s Bay Arts Guide and trail
Friend of CAN
Former board member, Creative Arts Napier
Bibliography
Reviews/Blog features/Press
The Joy of Making, by Sacha McNeil for Thrive Magazine, print and online Issue Feb/Mar 2022
‘Changing Threads’ Exhibition Catalogue by Refinery Arts Space, 2022
How to embroider your clothes, Of Small Matters, Aug 2021 (Also published in Ensemble)
Home Scene Journal Interview, Aug 2020
Create Whimsy Artist Spotlight interview, July 2020
Ravon about art "Flight | Rumours", July 2016
Tracey (Gadget Girl) "Flight...", July 2016
Felt Blog "Art in fibre", April 2016
Ravon about art "Made of Snow", Jan 2016
Muir, Matthew: "Black and other colours", the gulf, Sep 2011, pg 36-37
Crane, Douglas (http://salient.org.nz/arts/visual-arts/visual-arts-2), 2008
Kenealy, Robyn E.: The Secret Life of Cream: Test pot, 2007 (http://artbash.co.nz/forums/reviews/the-secret-life-of-cream-testpot-new-paintings-by-ngaio-simpson-and-ri)
Bayfield High School, yearbook cover, 2002
Curated Rework - an art discussion group
Interviews (Audio)
A chat with Emma Bowyer Warner about my exhibition at Upcycle in 2011 on Waiheke Radio
Projects
Curated rework – an art discussion group -2014
Publication Design
Editor & graphic designer, Napier Boys’ High School ‘Scindian’ 2019 - 2021’
Editor & graphic designer, Newsletter, Napier Boys’ High School + Scinde House, 2019-2022