KEY POINTS:
Artist Crispin Korchen loves to tell stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. The figurative artist, who graduated from the Wellington School of Design in the late 80s and lived in Kenya in the 90s, creates paintings with a unique, quirky quality, which often have powerful metaphors and emotion despite their simplified imagery.
"Painting gives me the opportunity to bring to life the characters and images roaming in my head.
"The stories told by my artworks are either my own, inspired from observations and my experiences, or expressions of my restless curiosity."
See for yourself at her exhibition, Songs of the Heart, which opens at the Flagstaff Gallery in Devonport this week.
In the meantime, she shares with Viva her favourite things.
Ten favourite things
1 The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
This book has the most lyrical language that makes me want to pick up a pencil to underline his wonderful descriptions. At the same time, the story is so compelling that I have to put the pencil down and keep turning the pages.
2 My red high-heeled shoes
Every girl needs a pair of sexy, red, high-heeled shoes. I had been looking at these in the shop for a couple of months when my then boyfriend surprised me one day with a wrapped box with these gorgeous things inside. Definitely the way to a girl's heart.
3 Schoc chocolate Heaven on Earth. I discovered Schoc a few years back when visiting a friend in Greytown, but now they also have a shop in Wellington which makes it easier to feed the addiction. There's no returning to any other chocolate after you've tasted Schoc.
4 My papier mache angel by Jan Kerr
Jan is a wonderful papier mache artist and a dear friend of mine. She made this angel for me on my birthday when I was having a tough year. It hangs over my bed like a gentle presence.
5 Barking Mad
Barking Mad is my card and gift company. It allows me to create frivolous, quirky, slightly crazy, definitely un-PC, sentimental designs and generally we have a whole lot of fun creating goodies for people to buy. www.barkingmad.net.nz
6 My Venus by Botticelli skirt made by Nicholas Blanchet Art and fashion together. I love this skirt because I love this wonderful painting. To walk around all day wearing it makes me feel fantastic.
7 My Jingle Jangle Morning Bill Hammond print
I bought this print at the Wellington City Art gallery after seeing the Bill Hammond exhibition they had on. The exhibition, the lighting and display of the artworks was the most amazing I've seen. The paintings glowed on the walls in a semi-dark room: magical.
8 Roses, Compassion
I adore roses but this one is a favourite because it flowers and flowers and smells divine. During summer I fill the house up with vases of its beautiful pinky apricot blooms.
9 My laptop
Laptops are the best invention ever. I would never go back to a desktop computer. There's nothing like running your business from bed.
10 East Day Spa
I'm a firm believer in treating yourself and East Day Spa make you feel like you're being truly indulged. Lovely surroundings, great staff and I especially love the after-treatment relaxing room.
