ABOUT THE ARTIST
A long artistic heritage almost guaranteed Collette Renee Fergus would have an interest in art and so it proved. She began painting young, prevailed on family and neighbourhood
artists for lessons, and revelled in their skill and knowledge. At 11 she sold her first artwork, a watercolour of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, New Zealand. At 16 she took night school classes in oil painting, her subject matter still mostly New Zealand scenery. She exhibited often and at 17 the now Waikato-based artist had her first solo exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand. Eschewing formal training and the artistic style and methods of others, Collette developed a unique style early. She believes the growing popularity of her art can be attributed directly to this individuality.
Picasso, Dali and Kandinsky have latterly influenced her style. From the early 1990s Collette has worked in acrylics, attracted by their quick drying properties and the ability to incorporate texture. She uses bright, funky colours on any subject that sparks her imagination, and enjoys the surrealist concept in her art these days. Texture remains important and Collette uses anything from pumice and black sand to artist quality texture mediums.
Known for her modern, contemporary artwork,Collette has two distinct styles: her serious, abstract and surrealist work, and a fun, contemporary range that includes an increasingly infamous character - Boozehag, now re-branded as Ms Chardonnay Minx, the glamour girl, who is more about nice things and fun rather than the wine. Collette is also a popular New Zealand commission artist with an ability to accurately interpret clients wishes. Her artworks sell worldwide, including private collections in Britain, Germany, Russia, USA, Canada, Spain and Australia, as well as from galleries throughout New Zealand.
Collette finds painting extremely rewarding and puts her heart and soul into it. She finds it most satisfying to portray emotions and feelings on canvas in a visual communication. Shes humbled by appreciation of her work.
Member of the Waikato Society of Arts.
New Zealand Artist Mentor...Please enquire if you require any assistance.
Motivational Speaker for the Arts
- Finalist in the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award 2008
- Painting selected for INPUT Magazine cover 2007
- Finalist - Yellow Pages Art Awards 2003 and 2004
Exhibitions -
Guess Who's Back, solo show - Thornton Gallery Dec 2007
Artists of the Waikato, Group Exhibiton - Thornton Gallery Oct 2007
One Size Fits All, Group Exhibiton - Thornton Gallery Sept 2007
Artists in Wonderland, Group Exhibition - Thornton Gallery Nov 2006
Art de Vine Group, Exhibiton - The Colosseum, Gisborne 2006
Nice to Naughty, Group Exhibiton - Funky Lizard Gallery 2006
Island Shores, Group Exhibiton - Thornton Gallery March 2006
Naked, Group Exhibiton - Mixed Media Gallery 2005
Art de Vine Group Exhibiton - The Colosseum, Gisborne 2005 - Featured Artist
Boozehag launch, Solo Show - Mixed Media Gallery Feb 2005
Back by Popular Demand, Solo show - Te Uku Gallery, Waikato 2004
Group exhibiton - Gallery 547 2003
Solo Show - JBC's Hamilton 1993
Solo Show - Pakuranga Gallery 1986
Pakuranga Arts Society Exhibition 1985
