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From makeup and bodypainting to canvases

20 Jul 2022

Cromwell’s Jordan Turner is never short of inspiration for her vibrant paintings in Resene colours. The full-time artist describes her work as bold and colourful, with a contemporary influence.

 

A mural by Jordan in Cromwell, Central Otago. Created with Resene Bright Spark, Resene Red Hot, Resene Curious Blue, Resene Wet N Wild, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Daredevil, Resene Niagara, Resene Jalapeno, Resene White and Resene Black.

“I have been drawn to the arts since I was old enough to hold a pencil or paintbrush in my hand. Over time I have simply and quite naturally worked on developing my own unique style through experimenting with many different creative forms.

“My own ‘wow’ of the arts started when I travelled to Auckland to see the national body art awards at 16. That event was to inspire me to sign-up and get accepted into studying Makeup and Film Production at the Design and Art College of NZ.” Jordan furthered her skills by travelling, sketching her way around Australia and the UK. Settling in Melbourne, she was involved in events for creative makeup and body painting.

 

A mural by Jordan in Alexandra. Hues include Resene Bright Spark, Resene Red Hot and Resene Jalapeno.

“It was during this time in Melbourne that I dedicated a lot of my free time and focus into developing my fine art style, which in turn progressed to having my works displayed in some of the galleries and shows there.”

Since moving back in New Zealand to live, her creative paintings have been displayed across towns through different Resene murals.

“Travelling back from India in 2020 I painted a woman in beautiful bold and bright colours that inspired a whole new collection that ended up being shown at the Dunedin Art show in 2021, later to be displayed as a part of the mural now shown In Cromwell, Central Otago.”

Jordan loves having a sketchbook close by. “I set myself challenges and sketch in new drawings. With the challenges, I draw a new drawing in my book for 30 days, and out of that might be just one drawing that I can explore further and expand into a collection.”

Nature also is an important guide for her: “Nature never gets it wrong with her colour choices.”

 

“Surrounding myself with others that teach, inspire and light up my creative ways is extremely important to me, as this helps develop my skills and techniques and shows me what is possible, as an art lover and creator.”

The materials Jordan uses are determined by the work she is doing, but Jordan says the versatility of Resene paints is what she loves. “I am loving the colour choices, the flow and the versatility of Resene paints as my choice of mediums to work with, along with a combination of mixed media that adds depth to my paintings.”

She first decided to use Resene paints on canvas after being inspired by two woman she admires for their own artist values and friendship – Taleea Kere and Natalie Kere.

“Natalie's experience with using Resene paints and the diverse ways in which she had used them herself as an artist helped me enormously in choosing some colours which inspired ideas for my latest works.”

 

I made the choice to use Resene products for the murals I have painted in both Cromwell and Alexandra, Central Otago, For these designs, I had to take into account many factors, including the harsher environmental factors of our beautiful Central Otago region and the colour and design that I had chosen. I chose to go with Resene because I needed professional paints.”

Paints that could provide the bold colours, hold their colour over time and also withstand the diversity of both winter frosts and summer heat and shine are key, Jordan says.

“Resene paints had everything that I needed in professional paints. Their promise as a business and their wide range of colour choice, all in handy, cost efficient testpots and bigger when I need them. I was rapt to find every colour that inspires my love of creativity as I have many designs lined up that are begging to be painted.”

 

The first of Jordan’s new series on canvasses inspired by her Pop. Hues include Resene Hot August, Resene Lusty, Resene Tuscany, Resene Cream Can and Resene Palm Green.

She is always drawn to orange and coral shades. “I really loved the shade Resene Adrenalin, it is such a bright orange shade on the murals, yet also with my recent painting I really loved using the shades, Resene Hot August, Resene Twizel, Resene Gecko, Resene Bunting and Resene Lusty.”

Jordan says she is always looking to expand her artistic community. “I love meeting and connecting with other creatives. I am in the process of creating a monthly creative email to help support other artists out there. If this is something you would love to join then please let me know by messaging me on Instagram!”

Find Jordan: @jordanturner_artist

 

Published: 20 Jul 2022