Breakthrough for artist after humble start at craft fair

Skulls and Dreamcatchers: Mandy Emerson is getting international recognition with her Queenstown solo exhibition.

From selling small pieces for less than $50 at market to expensive 2m-high paintings to overseas collectors - Solway's Mandy Emerson has come a long way.

The mixed media artist has a solo exhibition at Queenstown's Artbay Gallery, and her whimsical paintings of dreamcatchers, birds, gardens and floral arrangements hanging from animal skulls are pulling in an international crowd.

Artbay Gallery, the recipient of several New Zealand business awards and a regular home for award-winning artists, is a popular destination point for Queenstown holidaymakers.

And so far Emerson - the only Wairarapa artist exhibiting - has made an impression.

"Queenstown does attract people with disposable income, which is exciting," said Emerson, a painter of 14 years.

"One couple came in, had a look around, and went away to have coffee to decide - and bought two huge pieces, for about four grand each."

One of her paintings, a 2m by 1.8m giant, sold for $10,000.

"It's surreal - we spend ages saving that type of money for a trip to Aussie, but they've got it right there."

To gain recognition on this scale is the fulfillment of a long-held dream for Emerson, who began her career selling pieces for $45 at the Martinborough Fair in 2001, and organising small pop-up exhibitions.

She entered the New Zealand Art Show in 2006, where she won the Signature Award - attracting the attention of gallery owners in Auckland and Wellington.

"When I first started, I spent a lot of time ringing up little giftie shops and galleries asking if they'd take my stuff," she said.

"You have to work for it and put yourself out there - nothing's handed to you.

"It's the Wairarapa work ethic."

An artist requires the same work ethic to prepare for a large exhibition.

In the lead-up to the Artbay exhibition, she worked until the early hours to finish her 12 paintings.

"I don't do a traditional 9-5 day, but I was up until about two or three in the morning before the show," said Emerson, who usually works with acrylic paints, ink stains, fabrics and lace, and glass beads.

Even packaging work to transport to a gallery can take "two full days".

"My family got very used to seeing me in my blue dressing gown, surrounded by packing tape."

This year, Emerson hopes to set up mixed media art workshops at her home, with painting sessions in the vineyard.

"I get at least one email a week, asking if I could teach my particular style - it would be great to put that into action."

She is now concentrating on a major project - making sculptural installations with animal skulls, including one for a tattoo parlour in the Bay of Plenty.