Walls that bloom with joy

11 Aug 2025

Kelly 'Kell Sunshine' doesn’t just paint walls, she tells stories on them. Her lush, curvaceous murals painted in vibrant Resene hues are a celebration of connection, colour and community, with a little bit of plant magic thrown in for good measure.

A self-described “neo-animist”, Kelly’s artworks often feature botanical beings in saturated, pulsating colourways, shaped with bold brushwork and a heap of heart. “My work is illustrative, lush, curvaceous, saturated, clean, bold and tender,” she says. “The lead characters mostly hail from the plant world, with messaging which speaks of my interest in ecology and interconnection.”

In Hamilton, Kelly’s mural stands out in the wild painted in Resene Cabbage Pont, Resene Glamour Puss, Resene Trinidad, Resene Hot Toddy, Resene West Coast, Resene Buttercup, Resene Touche and Resene Highball.

Now based in Tairāwhiti, Kelly got her creative start designing gig posters in Wellington, before her practice evolved into everything from illustration to large-scale murals. Her work can be found dotted across the country, from a dreamy ode to Three Sisters planting in Winton and whimsical flourishes on city buildings, laneways and libraries.

No matter where she’s working, Resene is always close at hand. “I paint using big round brushes, sharp angled brushes and rollers,” she says. “I know the Resene palette pretty well these days. The colours hold their own really well, there’s great variety in the available spectrums, and the staff across the country are always really great to deal with.”

Dream Bean Coffee got their dream mural too. Their truck is now painted in swirls of Resene Glorious, Resene Sunshade, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Tuscany, Resene Rum Swizzle, Resene Caramel, Resene California and Resene Fuel Yellow.

When it comes to choosing colours, Kelly follows her instincts. “I’ll usually start with one colour that I intuitively want to use at the time, and then work upwards from there, almost always with the addition of a mustardy yellow/green.

“I design all of my work digitally on the iPad after a solid session of contemplation and day-dreaming. I try to tell stories with my murals, illustrating tiny moments of interaction.”

This Featherston mural is painted in Resene Glorious, Resene Grenadier, Resene Lemon Ginger, Resene Pacifika, Resene Gin Fizz, Resene Sugar Plum Fairy, Resene Funk and Resene Unicorn.

One of her favourite pieces she painted for South Sea Spray in Winton was inspired by the Three Sisters planting technique where corn, beans and squash grow in harmony. “They support each other, they help each other grow,” she says. “Aesthetically, I really enjoy the movement of that piece, with the three mischievous elders peering through their golden harvest.”

Kelly’s favourite, her Three Sisters mural, painted in an array of Resene hues.

From laneway whimsy to nature-inspired wisdom, Kelly’s murals are hard not to smile at. They make spaces feel joyful, thoughtful, and above all, alive.

You can see more of her work at www.kellsunshine.com or follow along at @kell.sunshine.

Main image: Sylvia Lane in Auckland painted in Resene Vista Blue, Resene Keppel, Resene Wham, Resene Rouge, Resene Japanese Laurel, Resene Lemon Ginger, Resene Southern Cross, Resene Supernova, Resene Cleopatra, Resene Deep Sea, Resene Pirate Gold, Resene FOMO, Resene Kryptonite, Resene Bird Flower, Resene Reef and Resene Corn Field.

Published: 11 Aug 2025