Tessa Brown is a self-taught painter whose work is inspired by the majestic landscapes and native birds of Aotearoa. A love of the outdoors drew her to paint the mountains, coasts, streams, and huts of New Zealand, with acrylics becoming her medium of choice for their versatility and vibrancy. She finds joy in the painting process itself; from the excitement of beginning, through its inevitable challenges, to the deep satisfaction of a completed piece.
Originally from the UK, Tessa studied Graphic Design at the London School of Printing, where she was one of four students to win a national advertising competition, The Layton Awards. She went on to work for a group of graphic designers in London, contributing to BBC documentaries and annual reports; all before the digital era.
After emigrating to New Zealand in 1968, she later moved to Ōhope and embraced silk-screening, creating original textiles including skirts, bags, and wall hangings. Though she came to painting later in life, Tessa brings a lifetime of creativity, design experience, and a deep connection to the natural world into every brushstroke.
Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of her work.
Tessa will be exhibiting at stop 23 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!
