Artist Andrea Green blends intuition and technique in expressive art

19 Mar 2025

Andrea Green’s artistic journey is one of constant evolution, shaped by her passion for portraiture and an intuitive approach to creativity. Her work is a dynamic blend of subject, process and Resene colour, aiming to bring each piece to life with expressive energy.

Growing up in a family of artists – painters, photographers, musicians and songwriters – creativity was always a part of Andrea’s life. However, her career as an artist began with a serendipitous moment. “In my late 20s, I walked past a gallery in the UK displaying a Spring collection of yellow daffodil paintings. At home, I had just finished a painting of a purple tulip, so I took it to the gallery. They placed it in the window, and it sold immediately. That moment marked the start of my art career.”

Andrea’s piece, ‘Victor Arimondi’, is painted in Resene White, Resene Chathams Blue, Resene Cape Palliser, Resene Dark Bluff, Resene Beethoven, Resene Moroccan Spice, Resene Brown Bramble, Resene Matakana and Resene Nero.

‘Shoney’ is painted in a mix of Resene True V, Resene Rose Of Sharon, Resene Light Tan, Resene Twine, Resene Sand, Resene Matakana, Resene Botanic, Resene Confederate Grey, Resene Black and Resene Coconut Ice.

For Andrea, inspiration is an ever-present force. “Inspiration is everywhere for me, and ideas flow nonstop – like a tap that won’t turn off. Prioritising concepts is sometimes the hardest part since there are never enough hours in the day.” A recent trip to Italy, where she explored Milan, Florence and Rome, has played a pivotal role in shaping her next body of work.

Among her many creations, one piece stands out as a particular source of pride. Tui in the Cherry Tree is the last available artwork from a set of three Moon-dials created for the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival. This interactive piece helps guide your gardening through the lunar calendar, following the ancient practice of planting by the moon.” Made with Resene paint, silver leaf and plexiglass, the artwork is both functional and aesthetically striking.

‘Tui in the Cherry Tree’ is painted in Resene Jordy Blue, Resene Scrumptious, Resene Woodland, Resene Bondi Blue, Resene Ming, Resene Blackberry, Resene Paradise and Resene Fluoro Pink.

Andrea’s piece, ‘Rebellion’, is painted in Resene Anise, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Oyster Bay, Resene Creole, Resene Planter, Resene Woodland and Resene Adrenalin.

Andrea’s process is as versatile as her inspirations. She begins with pencil or charcoal studies before moving on to paints. “Resene works well,” she says. “It’s great on large canvases too since I can use rollers, brushes or palette knives. Even on smaller works I like using Resene, and adding a bit of Resene Hot Weather Additive lets me create thin, glaze-like layers.”

Though she dedicates part-time hours to her art due to homeschooling her two youngest teens, Andrea makes the most of her creative time. She has a Portrait Studio at Tauranga’s Historic Village, where she works every Saturday, drawing pastel portraits, working on commissions and developing new concepts.

'Untitled Portrait’ is painted in Resene White, Resene Chathams Blue, Resene Claret, Resene Cabaret, Resene Carousel Pink, Resene Matakana, Resene Creole, Resene Brown Bramble, Resene Buff and Resene Nero.

Her connection with Resene paints began in 2022 when she entered the NZ Mural Awards. “I won first prize and the June Carlton Memorial Trophy, which was an incredible experience. The next year, I received a Public Art commission for a mural in Katikati. Resene is my go-to for murals, and as a colourist at heart, I find pure joy in colour!”

When asked to pick a favourite Resene colour, Andrea finds it impossible to choose just one. “Resene Wedgewood and Resene Duck Egg Blue are my favourite colours if I had to choose, but really, who can choose just one? It’s all about the combinations, isn’t it? My grandmother used to colour-coordinate her clothes on the washing line, so I guess she felt the same way I do.”

Explore more of Andrea’s captivating work here!

Published: 19 Mar 2025