KEY POINTS:
Artist Penny Stotter graduated from Ilam in Christchurch in 1995 and subsequently worked as a finished artist for graphic design companies in London, Melbourne and Auckland. Two years ago, a friend encouraged her to enter the inaugural Estuary Artworks Award which she won. "This gave me the courage to leave my job and start to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist. During that time I have been fortunate to be part of several exhibitions, and have most recently been part of a collaboration with Gorgi illustrating their current range of homeware that also serves to protect the world's whales."
Stotter's work has been showcased in various galleries and shops around New Zealand including, in Auckland, Eon and Letham Gallery.
"I've found the support and encouragement from the design and art community and from my friends and family to be enormous, and feel very proud to be part of it. I have some exciting projects to look forward to in the future but at the moment am concentrating on my upcoming exhibition in collaboration with three other artists at Letham Gallery."
Not Just Wallpaper 2008, mixed media exhibition. 9-23 October. Letham Gallery, 35 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.
Ten favourite things
1 Zaishu slot-together seat or small table. Collectable artwork that also functions as furniture. Zaishu works with artists and non-profit community and school groups to produce functional eco-furniture with an emphasis on social responsibility. www.zaishu.com
2 Desk art. Another cool example of form meets function. Definitely something for the person who has everything. www.jaczagoory.com
3 My beautiful doll Rua, who I stumbled across in a junk shop on Waiheke. She has since become the hero and inspiration for my latest show. It is a fun and whimsical collection that I started to draw for my gorgeous nieces Lulu and Poppy.
4 Living walls. I love the idea of using real living plants on a large scale in unexpected places.
5 Stylist Anna Church's fabulous prints.
I think these are truly inspired and are at the top of my wish list. Anna uses a variety of iconic objects to create her masterpieces; Crowning Glory is one of my favourites, utilising her vast collection of Crown Lynn crockery.
6 Better View roll-up black out curtain by Finnish designer Elina Aalto. Yet another fantastic example of functional artwork. I would love to see Aalto create a city view of Auckland.
7 The Pixel Couch. I love couches and to date have a very modest collection consisting of a chaise longue I bought on Trade Me, an antique French two-seater gold embellished settee and a retro buttoned back 5-seater I paid the princely sum of $50 for.
8 My collection of Dumbo Feather mooks (magazine/book).
Not only beautiful to look at but my first port of call when I need be inspired. Dumbo Feather is the creation of New Zealander Kate Bezar, not only an inspiration in her own right but a dear friend of mine. www.dumbofeather.com
9 The Love Us Don't Hunt Us range of homeware
I was privileged enough to illustrate, creating a "cheeky kind of bedroom or lounge room activism". Gorgi has teamed up with Project Jonah with $2 from every cushion sold going to help protect the world's whales.
www.gorgi.co.nz.
10 Marc Newson designed Smeg ovens.
I absolutely adore the colour palette. Such a fantastic alternative to brushed stainless steel. I think it would be a lot of fun to design a kitchen around one of these.
