Peta Dowle - New Zealand Wildlife Artist

Peta Dowle is known for her vivid depiction of New Zealand's wildlife. Her love of painting is matched by her passion for, and extensive knowledge of, New Zealand's birds, especially the endangered species. Influential in Peta's portrayal of New Zealands indigenous flora and fauna is her awareness of the historical role and significance birds played in Maoritanga. The iconic imagery Peta creates is her interpretation of pristine Aotearoa, how wildlife might have appeared pre European times.

Peta grew up playing on the beaches of the Hokianga, and exploring the trails of the Waipoua forest. Delighting in the find of an empty giant Kauri Snail shell, admiring Tane Mahuta and the earthy moss and ferns are treasured memories. Later living rural in the Hawkes Bay in her early teens she woke with sound of Tui & Bellbirds. In her early married life Mount Taranaki rose majestically outside her living room window, Kereru frequent visitors to her front yard. Now living in Otago, Peta feels privileged to have enjoyed living in several areas of New Zealand. Those moments of touching nature ignited a love for our unique species - her favourite being Kakapo the world's only lek parrot, nocturnal, flightless and beautiful fern-green. Peta also paints Kereru (wood pigeon), Kotare (sacred Kingfisher), Kokako, Kea, Kaka, Kakariki, Kiwi, Tui, Tuatara, and Moko (gecko and skink). Another special favourite Peta regularly paints is Piwakawaka or Fantail. Included in the scenes are other icons such as Paua shells, Kina shells, Pounamu (greenstone), Koru fern curls, Yellow Kowhai, red Rata and Pohutukawa flowers, Mountain Lilly, Nikau and Punga fern.

Always using good artist grade paints, quality compounds, & exhibition grade canvas Peta is a perfectionist when it comes to detail and quality. The same stringent standards are applied to her unique carved art 'Sculpt-Art'. Artworks are simple in composition and design. Attractive, often whimsical and always colourful living up to Peta's intention of being...

"... dedicated to encapturing Aotearoa in all her extraordinary beauty."