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Wendy Leach is an internationally recognised and a favourite NZ artist.
She is also a favourite in our Mangawhai Artists Association.
After moving her studio from Auckland to Mangawhai just a year ago, Wendy joined and helped form the Mangawhai Artist’s Association. She has devoted countless hours in promoting the Assn. and developing artist pages on our new website. She is a highly intelligent woman but amazingly unpretentious. We have all enjoyed her gracious and naturally warm personality. She’s so nice ! But now, sadly, we say goodbye.
Wendy’s husband, Colin, has gained a promotion in an international company which will see them move to Belgium for the next few years.
Wendy’s childhood was spent in Dargaville, then boarding at Epsom Girls Grammar School.
She returned to Dargaville for her 6th and 7th form years, then thought she might embark on a career as an interior designer. So, she majored in Design for her Fine Arts Degree at Elam.
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A year of Training College followed, however, where she gained a Diploma in Secondary School Teaching.
Wendy accepted the position of Art Teacher at St Cuthbert’s College during which time she was also a National Assessor for School Certificate, U.E. and Bursary Art exams. She retained that position until she had her two boys.
It was with teaching that Wendy found herself diversifying her skills. She had to teach everything from drawing and painting to printing and pottery. Soon a painting career developed alongside her teaching.
A look at Wendy’s website, www.wendyleach.com, shows her success with her distinctive multimedia style using a combination of gouache and oil pastel.
When Wendy’s children were small she began teaching adults starting out part-time at the Mission Bay Methodist Church Hall. She later taught for 2 years at the ASA School of Art and then at Outreach in Ponsonby and private classes. She loved teaching adults, bringing something new and adding a new dimension to people’s lives.
About this time Wendy discovered her adventurous streak and her other passion which is travel.
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She successfully combined her two loves by taking tours and art retreats in Italy and France. Wendy was invited to Jordan and worked towards an exhibition in 2004. She even had coffee with Prince Raad and Princess Majda !
While most of us would rest on our laurels at this stage, Wendy recognised she needed a challenge ! She didn’t want to keep painting the same way. She says as an artist it is necessary to keep interested and tap into your potential.
She embarked on a Masters Degree at Whitecliffe College of Art where she gained with 1st class honours! This was a huge undertaking requiring the artist’s work to undergo rigorous critique which compels change.
She had to write a 15,000 word dissertation which “forces thinking at a different level.” she says. “The artist’s work has to be considered in context historically and internationally.” Other theories were explored that related to her thinking. Her medium was digital photography. Her website is a must-see for these works in time-lapsed photography exploring time, light and space.
Wendy feels happy that she completed this personal goal and now is open to anything and will respond to opportunities. A few years in Belgium? ... I think she will cope.
Good luck Wendy! We will miss you !!
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