erika hüsselmann

Sometimes things happen randomly and one struggles to make sense of it. Other times things fall into place almost magically and one gets the message, loud and clear. I'm talking about my art practice in general and I'm hesitant about calling it that, as I'm more inclined to think of it as an art life experiment. This is how it went... I tend to go all out when I do find that elusive groove where everything just clicks... colour, form, message, process, materials and all, and it's pure joy to make something that feeds the soul. Then the sun begins to set, the lights dim, and the flame goes out. Or something along those lines - and the search for the next groove begins. Experiments, journeys, bypasses, caves and tunnels, going off the rails and re-railing with difficulty and many false starts. "Again, from the beginning!" my piano teacher used to say ad nauseam. "With feeling!" These detours can take a round-about sort of route and would eventually bri...

SPIRIT BIRD Spirit Bird - by erika husselmann 1000mm x 760mm, box framed, ready to hang Media: graphite, acrylic, mixed $1988 This was an unusual process through a particularly interesting journey. Would you believe me if I told you that it started with a laughing sheep? Neither would I. But proof is in the pudding, and I happened to have snapshots of the process. I cobbled together a slideshow that demonstrates how many times the work ended up being subjected to a step I call a white-out, using lots of white paint as a white wash. It was fun, which is easy to say in the end. You will notice a very black bird at some point in the middle of the process. Shall we say that that was the lowest point, and I seriously considered scrapping the whole idea, giving up and stretch a new canvas... as you do. I think there is wisdom in turning it to the wall and let it rest there. Because when I returned to it I recognised something worthy to preserve in there. Another partial white-out followed, ...

  Headspace I - ceramic vessel (small) 120x100x70mm $350 Headspace II - ceramic vessel  - 150x140x80mm $450 Headspace I and II - $700 as a pair figure study I - watercolour on 100% cotton w/c paper, box framed with glass - $250 figure study II - watercolour on 100% cotton w/c paper, box framed with glass - $250 fragments of sound - mixed on 100% cotton w/c paper, box framed with glass - $250 Please contact me for more information - and thank you for your visit - take care e^)

 As things go, studies and experiments are part of the process. So here we are, 8 specific watercolour studies into this never-ending love affair with watercolour and paper. Only this time I got to play with cold wax as well - what a heavenly tactile medium! These are all slightly smaller than A4, mounted on press board, sealed with cold wax, buffed and ready to hang. Would love to know what you think... Untitled I by Erika Husselmann - watercolour on Fabriano, cold wax  SOLD      Untitled II by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/collage on Fabriano, cold wax  SOLD Untitled III by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/collage on Fabriano, cold wax  $110 Untitled IV by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/cold wax on Fabriano  $110 Untitled V by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/cold wax on Fabriano  SOLD Untitled VI by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/cold wax on Fabriano  SOLD Untitled VII by Erika Husselmann - watercolour/cold wax on Fabriano  SOLD Unt...

  the weaving by erika husselmann - 600x600x38 oil on canvas, 60mm floating frame Some might remember 'la rosa' from way back when - exhibited in a show 'People and Places' in Oxford Gallery yonks ago. Thick painting knife texture in oils on the roses, and colours that I still adore. Well, she has had a makeover, or a deconstruct, and then a reconstruct - combining her with another oil painting that was also a portrait of a woman, with a rare butterfly on her hand - never exhibited. The two paintings are literally woven together now, and secured in a black display frame - the canvas still stretched. I like this one, it speaks to me and it might be the humble beginnings of a body of work that will push the boundaries of my process, who knows. "the weaving" can be viewed through MGTO gallery now and will be on display there for a few weeks. If you are interested in securing it, there is a buy now button below as well. The gallery will receive their commission, ...

family trees by erika husselmann - 600x600x38mm acrylic/graphite on canvas, framed This little work reminds me of time and place, hills and river inlets, farms, trees and dirt roads that lead to who knows where. And the one little red roof is where everything happens - family life.  I quite like the slightly darker atmosphere, the time of day that seems cool, quiet and calm. This painting is part of a current exhibition in the MGTO gallery in Maungaturoto and is viewable Thursday to Friday 11-4pm after the opening on 4 April 2025. Exciting times! Feel free to view at the gallery, and if you wish to aquire this here, the buy now button below is active now.  Thank you for popping in and as always, be happy. erika Powered by

Sunflowers is reflecting on my move to the countryside up North about 7 years ago, where wide open spaces greet one every morning. The air is fresh, the seasons easily noticeable in the verdant trees with their coats in different shades of green and yellow, this time of year. Sunflowers is such a special plant and valuable for all the right reasons. So I've done this one in simple yellows and mauves, with a nudge towards the Brynderwyn hills and a smidgeon of water that might be a river feeding the Kaipara Harbour. It's totally imaginary - as always with these works - and open to interpretation. So if it reminds you of somewhere you've been or love, then I'm happy. This is available through MGTOgallery for the next few weeks, else feel free to acquire through the paypal link below and I will send it off when the exhibition ends. sunflowers by erika husselmann - 600 x 600 x 38mm acrylic/graphite on linen Powered by

  Aviana by Erika Husselmann 102x76x38, mixed media on linen  Aviana I have painted Aviana (guardian of the birds) a few times now, always including birds, some mythical, some invented, non-existent, but this time four white doves made their presence known. I love doves, their melancholy coos, their gentle ways. A Barbary dove visited us a few years back - a slightly hanging left wing, a wonky toe, all functional and perfectly healed but clearly identifiable. I thought it might have been hand-reared and would eat from my hand after getting used to my voice. Every morning it would walk in the back door, cooing like I didn't own a cat. One day it returned with a lady friend, as if to introduce her to us and say good-bye at the same time. It returned only once more the following day, leaving some twigs as a gift. I fed it one last time and that was it. Bird was off to a new exciting life.  I still miss it - a chance encounter with a very special Barbary dove, and can't help ...

'hajulella' is about music among other things: making music, a simple melody, floating sounds like petals on water hajulella - acrylic on linen by erika hüsselmann This painting has all the elements that sing together at this time and in this space, composing form and shape harmony. There are elements that draw the eye, some texture and gold accents here and there. The gold is subtle and not visible without directional lighting. There is also something that suggests floating, but I'm damned if I can put a finger on it, a little bit of magic perhaps? It's one of the bigger canvases at 1020mm by 760mm by 33mm stretched. Ready to hang without framing. Available now at $3500 from the Gallery Helena Bay   my very favourite place to be.

phantasia - acrylic on linen by erika husselmann  When digging your heels into something fantastical, something that you love doing, it's easy to escape into a land of 'phantasia'... where colour is edible and may even suggest a fragrance or a feeling. It sounds like folly and totally doesn't make sense but strangely it may be the essence of that elusive thing that brings me back to painting time after time. So you dive into paints and brushes, and begin 'practising' on this luscious canvas, special, big, linen one. Many layers, as you chop and change and 'work' on building something. Over time it goes through an ugly duckling stage which results in a bit of hair-pulling, self-doubt and lots of unsavoury language which is better left untyped. But by my age I know that keeping going is all that counts. I've also learnt that there will come a moment where it feels just about right and then you quickly take a step back and plonk down the brush. 'Pha...

adagio by erika hüsselmann adagio - acrylic on canvas 750 x 1000 x 30mm - framed includes white floating frame - total measurements are 753 x 1003 x 33mm There is something to say for doing things slowly, like taking your time when cooking a flavoursome meal or stew. It takes time to develop the flavour and the leftovers oftentimes taste better the day after. When a piece of music needs to be played 'adagio', one usually takes one's time too. Slow is beautiful. So it was with this painting. It took a long time to age and mature, it seasoned slowly. I am happy with the outcome and realise that time is luxury to be savoured.  Here's  Adagio by Albinoni The painting is framed in a white floating frame, sealed and ready to hang, and available directly from me  $2325

elixer - acrylic on linen by erika husselmann elixer   is one in a series of paintings practicing expressive marks, pushing to paint as free as I can manage. The viewer has the ultimate freedom to interpret this in their own way, in their own time. For me this painting recalls something that soothes the soul, that calms the waters. The colours remind me of cherry blossoms (I am full of hope that the lonely cherry tree I own will one day surprise me with a spray of blossoms, come on little cherry tree, you can do this) This is a message of hope and encouragement, a soothing balm, even though there is black in everything closeup of elixer Acrylic on linen, 761mm x 1016mm x 33mm sealed, stretched, hanging wire installed and ready to hang $2325 - available now from the Gallery Helena Bay , my very favourite place to be