First Day of Summer, Rangitoto to Motutapu

Through First Day of Summer on Rangitoto, I considered the significance of the Waitematã and the subject of water more broadly within my practice. The harbour is never merely a backdrop; it carries movement, light, and a sense of possibility. Here, the view is framed through foliage, creating a sense of looking out; pausing at a vantage point overlooking Islington Bay.

That act of framing feels as important as the landscape beyond it. The “first day” suggests a beginning of a season, a journey, or simply a shift in light and mood.

Summer, for me, holds a particular energy and expansiveness, and this painting leans into that feeling of openness, warmth, and anticipation.