ElizabethKyle

I was born in Tauranga, New Zealand and lived on my parents’ dairy farm in Kati Kati, (luckily having ponies), attending Kati Kati Primary School, and later, Tauranga Girls' College where we had a most outstanding art teacher, Claudia Jarman. I attended Elam Art School at Auckland University and have been a professional artist ever since. My life has been like a fairytale - with both amazingly magical aspects and also the things from which nightmares are made. All this has served to make me what I am today: the really hard times having taught me the most. When I was six years old I found myself in a horrific situation where I was between two worlds of terror - the immediate past and the pending near-future. Huddled and trembling - hiding under ferns of the New Zealand bush, I found myself suddenly comforted within the soft feathers of a kahu huruhuru or korowai (Maori cloak), worn by the most loving, great-mother-figure I could ever imagine – with Maori features. I could feel the warmth of her body and her breath. Was she a manifestation of Tane – the Maori God of the Forests, its creatures, and Man? From then on the bush was my real home. And that Grand Lady, whom I named Rangi, was my protector, and inspirer/guide for all my so-called New Zealand paintings which spanned from 1992-1983. In 1983 another horrific series of events happened and to survive it, I was required to pass a test. I had a Near-Death and consequent Spiritual Awakening Experience (because fortunately I did pass it.) Rangi told me that I had completed my apprenticeship and now was the time to embrace my own heritage - rather than that of my beloved homeland…. And soon Gaia came into my life and so did the Celtic/Arthurian/Medieval paintings you may be familiar with. I was fortunate to be married to a White Knight who championed me - John Kyle – a mystic who was as ancient as Merlin and as futuristic as the unknown. I owe so much to him. I have been on my journey since John’s passing with my magical unicorn, Sir Don - until his passing. And continue on my quest……