Kia Ora,
Thank you for subscribing to my website. I aim to share with you what I discover on my creative journey in hopes that It will inspire you to start your own. As you join me on my journey, I will be focusing on two things, the first is techniques and methods of drawing, carving, etching, painting, and 3D lasering and anything I get into, and the second is the stories and history of the native people in Polynesia.
I began my cultural journey when I was 15, living in Melbourne, Australia. Until that time in my life, I didn't see the value of learning about my culture as an Australian-born, Māori, Fijian, Scottish, and British human. I think the reason why I didn't feel that it was important was because I wasn't challenged a lot growing up, as I looked like all the other white kids around me. However, as I saw other Māori kids around me with a deeper understanding of who they were and where they came from, it sparked an interest in me to find out who I am. I can say that I started diving deeper into my culture when I began drawing Māori and Samoan patterns on anything I could get my hands on. I started drawing it on all of my friends and, more specifically, on a colorful ukulele. I know I wasn't the only one doing that. Many kids were looking for a similar connection to their culture, and that was a simple way to show and get involved. For me, this was an essential part of my youth and makes up a large part of what I do today. If you are searching for your cultural connection and hope to find a way to get involved, this might be a place for you to start.
If you have made it to the end of this blog post or just skipped to the end, the good news is that I will be periodically gifting my art to those who are subscribed. Now and then, I will send out an email with a link that allows you to download my art for you to print out and enjoy. Sometimes it will just be art, and other times it will be interactive, like a coloring page; stay tuned!
Ngā Mihi and Kia Ora for supporting my art and process.
P.S Besides my art, I also started another brand called Shaka Tribe which I run with my wife. We do a similar thing where we put Polynesian-inspired art on products. You have to Check it out. If you like what I do here, you will also like www.Shakatribeshop.com
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Kia Ora Hamiora, Thank you sooooo much for sharing your mahi with us and allowing us to download your art. I have just been in the process of organizing new art for my whare and office and this taonga is perfect. Thank you so much. Always in awe of your mahi. Sending the love from Aotearoa. Tash @to_done_