Explore the artwork of
Sally Gray
Landscape Artist, Whanganui, Aotearoa
Welcome to my digital gallery. Paintings shown on this website are for sale.
Featured Landscapes
“What Are We Heading Into?”
Greenstone Track, Fiordland, Aotearoa
Oil on canvas, 40cm x 30cm
$165
“Lake McKellar at Dawn”
Greenstone Track, Fiordland, Aotearoa
Oil on Canvas, 60cm x 30cm
$150
About
Sally Gray
I have dabbled in art for a number of years, taking painting classes at Teachers’ College and later taking drawing classes and learning drawing techniques from books.
Pencil portraits from photos were my first serious foray into the art world and then during the 2020 lockdown I tried my hand at a pencil drawing of a West Coast scene. My sister encouraged me to try painting, so in November 2020, I took the plunge and bought a small set of student acrylics and “had a go” painting a scene from a photo of Lake Rotoiti on a piece of A4 cartridge paper. I was pleasantly surprised by the way this first painting turned out - and that was the start of what is now a passion for landscape painting.
My husband and I have travelled extensively around Aotearoa, taking photos of our amazingly beautiful and diverse country so my paintings take in scenes from the Coromandel through to Rakiura. I’m also an avid tramper, so many of my paintings are from photos taken while out in the wild.
Having started in acrylics, I have now branched out to using oils, which I enjoy very much.
I hope you enjoy looking at my paintings. Do contact me if you think you may like to buy one.
Sally’s Collection
There is always a story behind a painting. Many of my paintings are taken from photos that I have taken while out and about in our beautiful country.
I have shared the stories below in the hope that they will give you an insight into the paintings.
“Milford Track at Dusk”
Oil on Canvas 76cm x 51cm
$425
I came down with Covid while walking the Greenstone track. The company I was walking with, Ultimate Hikes, were fantastic and put me up in their Milford Lodge for a night. I was allowed outside when no one else was around - and this is the view I had of Mitre Peak just as the sun had set. There are definitely silver linings to adversity!
“Misty Road”
Oil on Canvas 36cm x 46cm
$50
I went out for an early morning walk while staying with my sister in the Papamoa Hills. The mist added a surreal atmosphere to the lonely road.
“What Are We Heading Into?”
Oil on Canvas 40cm x 30cm
$165
Greenstone Track. Actually it wasn’t as bad as it looked. By the time we got to the pass the weather had cleared. It sure made for a paintable moment though.
“Rakiura Late Afternoon”
Oil on Canvas
Sold
This painting is taken from a photo that my son took while tramping on Rakiura/Stewart Island. I loved the play of light on the water and the shadows of the grasses on the sand.
“Te Awa Waiwera”
Acrylic on Canvas 51cm x 40cm
$90
My daughter and I go on a Hot Pool Safari most years. One of our favourite places is the bridge at Wai-o-Tapu. This is a hot water stream which merges with a cold stream. Bathers find a spot that is just the right temperature for them. We have had interesting conversations with people from all around the world while soaking in the heat.
“Iconic Scene on the Milford Track”
Acrylic on Canvas 46cmx 61cm
$125
This is probably one of the most photographed scenes on the Milford track. We had an amazing three days walking the track and scenes like this really made it special.
“Lake McKellar at Dawn”
Oil on Canvas 60cm x 30cm
$150
Greenstone Track. Because I had come down with Covid, I had to leave the hut very early and walk out to the Milford Road. The mist and the early morning light made it all worthwhile.
“Lindis Pass”
Oil on Canvas
Sold
The light was amazing in this photo, the sun on the hills contrasting with the stormy sky.
“Serenity”
Oil on Canvas 71cm x 35cm
$275
I took the photo for this painting while waiting for friends at the Mapua wharf. It was an overcast day but suddenly the sun came out and brightened the water. This was truly a serene moment.
“Castle Point”
Oil on board - framed.
$125
It was a beautiful late summer day when we visited Castle Point. The setting was perfect for a photo that just needed to be turned into a painting.
“Whangamata Cliffs”
Oil on Canvas 40cm x 25cm
$50
I’ve spent a lot of time at Whangamata -we isolated here during the Covid lockdowns. It’s a lovely beach which is always different depending on the time of day and the weather.
“Whanganui National Park from the Atene Skyline Track”
Oil on Board - Framed
Sold
The Atene Skyline track is one of my favourite walks. It’s close to home and a real challenge. The photo for this painting was taken early one morning in one of the few glimpses between the trees of the surrounding country.