THE PALETTE

“Māori goddesses inspire my paintings and my palette for PPG Paints. They exemplify the beauty of Māori philosophy and are part of the natural world, from which all colour is derived. I choose these women of a higher dimension to highlight my significant appreciation of nature. I gain so much inspiration from nature, while the Māori language gives me clues to the deep relationship we have with it.

My PPG palette of 11 paints was inspired by a sunset over the ocean off West Auckland’s Piha Beach [pictured on page 44]. I was amazed by how many different colours and tones exist in this spectrum, and how different they are once they’re drawn out of the sunset by the coloursmith.

The orange and brown earth tones feel like a rich feast around an outdoor fire under a big pōhutukawa tree. These tones are part of our skin, made from the clay of the Earth.

I feel enriched by these hues, as if they’re a herald for the Earth’s beauty and ours.

The greens I like feel like a night sleeping under a ponga tree in my garden, the deep green hues against the starry, dark-navy sky. Lying on the ground looking up these greens feels safe, like a wing of a precious being protecting me. The lighter, mossy greens are a child of the forest playing in the sun.

Our eyes are regarded as the window to the soul, and inside the soul our light turns everything into colour. Study the names of these goddesses and you too will find the many layers to nature’s purpose for your soul.”

PPG Paints Makers colours are created by New Zealand artists and designers, and exclusive to Bunnings; ppgpaintsmakers.nz

Tracey’s PPG Paints colours take their cues from Māori goddesses, including (this page, from top) Hinetakurua, the goddess of winter; Hinenuitepō, the goddess of the afterlife; Ārohirohi, the goddess of mirages; Mahuika, the goddess of fire and the grandmother of Māui; Hineahuone, the first woman formed from clay by Tāne; and Hinemoana, the goddess of the ocean — as well as (opposite, clockwise from top left) Te Ao Mārama, the goddess of the moonlight; Hineteiwaiwa, the goddess of childbirth and weaving; Hineitapeka, the goddess of the fire in the Earth; Hinetītama, the goddess of first light; and Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother.

PPG PAINTS MAHUIKA PPG PAINTS HINEAHUONE PPG PAINTS HINEMOANA

PPG PAINTS HINENUITEPŌ PPG PAINTS ĀROHIROHI

PPG PAINTS HINETAKURUA