Niels Meyer-Westfeld

Niels Meyer-Westfeld is launching a new book, "Feathers of Aotearoa: An Illustrated Journal" that will be on sale at ArtSelect Gallery and can be signed by the artist at the opening of his Solo Exhibition where original works of art in his book will be for sale.

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"What's underlying my art is a passion for nature. It's one expression of it and if I would've been someone else, I would have written a song about it!

I've drawn all these feathers for this book and none have done them justice. They're just a surface representation. All these bits and barbs and all the clever things they do can't be expressed in a drawing."

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Artist Niels Meyer-Westfeld moved to New Zealand from Germany, where he had a career as a graphic artist and part time landscape artist. But once he met our birds, he couldn’t stop drawing them, which lead to an exhibition and a related book. Most of what he draws is right around where he lives!

 

“Drawing birds takes patience. To really get a sense of their behaviour you can’t just draw from a photograph, you have to spend time watching.”

 

“My father is a passionate lepidopterist and botanist and growing up in Germany, I was lucky enough to accompany him on trips around Europe while he pursued his interest,” says Niels. “His love of nature inspired me artistically and I’ve always drawn the flora and the fauna that surrounds me.”

 

His creative career has been a rich one. Trained in communication design and another Master of Arts in London he went on to work with global brands like The Bodyshop, MTV, Hilton Hotels and Dr Martens!

 

Then he fell in love with kiwi fashion designer Deborah Sweeney which brought him to the rich natural environment of New Zealand.

 

All original artwork is available as a limited edition fine art archival giclee print.