About me

Kia ora, I’m Bernadette Ballantyne — I’m so glad you’ve found me and my art.

I grew up in a small town in Taranaki, New Zealand, surrounded by a family of creatives. After completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in the early 2000s, I explored a range of creative careers while also spending over a decade teaching in primary schools.

In 2019, the arrival of my first child prompted a major shift in my priorities. I realised I wanted to spend more time with my whānau and dedicate myself more fully to my art. I began to take on more commissions, and in 2022, I made the leap—resigning from teaching to focus entirely on my art business.

The past few years have been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve had the joy of capturing precious moments and beloved faces—human and animal—in soft pastels, and I’m excited to see where this creative journey leads next.

Thank you for your interest in my work.

Feel free to explore my portfolio, and if you have any questions, or would like to work with me, I’d love to hear from you.

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

2005 - Emerging Artist of the Year Award.

2023 - Tasman Art Awards - Merit - Kiwikid

2023 - Academy of Fine Arts, Looking At Ourselves - Merit - Russel

2024 - Tasman Art Awards - Supreme winner - Resting Mum Face

2025 - Selected work into the Cleveland National Art Awards

2024 - Selected work into the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize

2025 - Purely Pastel - 3rd (Commended) - My Little Shadows

  • Guest Artist for the Southland District Arts Trust

  • Artwork featured in Colored pencil mag 2025

  • Feature article in Artists of NZ magazine

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