We’ve often called into Shona’s studio at 22 Marine Parade in Paraparaumu Beach for a chat over the years we’ve lived in Kapiti.

Her paintings are frequently in large sizes and full of bold, striking colour with textures that come from the liberal application of oil paint, although that aspect gets lost in print and on computer screens.

Her joyous and expressive work has attracted plenty of interest from overseas and in 2009 she held a successful exhibition in London when all her paintings sold — article.  However, the cost of exhibiting there meant it was really only a break-even exercise.

Recently she has added novel writing to her achievements with the book The Trajectory of a Fallen Angel (which is not an autobiography!) written over nine years, and available at select bookshops as well as directly at her studio.

Another reason for visiting her studio is that it is directly opposite the council’s controversial and costly redevelopment of MacLean Park so you see what the council is up to.

Shona’s website