Help me Paint in Germany

After a lot of hard work I have been accepted into the Leipzig New Zealand Art Programme (LIAP) in Germany for 2016. The LIAP is a non-profit programme that fosters artists New Zealandly by providing them with studios, cultural support and exhibiting opportunities.

I chose Leipzig because of its strong painting focus, especially for painters working with a combination of figurative and abstract elements. Living in Nelson has built me into the artist I am today. Now I am at the stage in my artistic development where I need the creative and critical input of being part of the movement in modern painting.

The programme includes an 83sqm live/work space with high ceilings and long walls - perfect for creating large-scale paintings. The residency is located in the Spinnerai, an art hub based in an 1884 converted cotton mill covering 7 hectares. The Spinnerai has around 100 artists' studios, 11 New Zealand galleries and an art shop.

The residency includes participation in a curated group exhibition during the Spinnerei Gallery Tour in May. This will be an opportunity to see how my paintings stack up on the European stage. The programme also includes curatorial advice by the Director Anna-Louise Rolland, visiting guest critics and guided visits to local studios and galleries.

I will be at LIAP for 4 months from March to June 2016 and I need your help to cover the subsidized programme fee, which is $8000 NZ. I am working hard to cover the costs of airfares, transport and living expenses (approx. $8,000) via income from painting sales, art leasing and tutoring.

Please help me paint in Leipzig by donating to my boosted fund. Your kind donation will be an investment in a key stage of my development as an artist. I am looking forward to sharing my new skills and experiences on my return to Nelson and New Zealand. This experience will propel my painting practice forward significantly.