Pete Morris - Art Blogger
	Pete is an occasional painter and an art lover. He is a freelance writer with a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga.

Jacqui Reynard was born in Taranaki and spent her childhood growing up in Wanganui. Jacqui has always been passionate about the arts and has had a drive to create since early childhood. This has led to explorations of different mediums and is a journey that is on-going for her as a multimedia visual artist.

In 2008 she completed her Diploma of Visual Arts, Aka Rakai Toi – Level 6 at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. To date Jacqui has participated in exhibitions in Northland, Auckland and throughout the Bay of Plenty. As a mosaic artist she has worked on private commissions and contributed to large outdoor community projects.
For every piece of work that she is involved with, be it a painting or a mosaic, there is an emotive journey that is embarked upon only through the process of art making. Inspiration is drawn from day to day encounters and different life experiences.

The painting ‘Alive' was exhibited in Creative Tauranga's hugely successful 'Lifestyles of the Bay' exhibition earlier this year.
'I enjoy pushing the boundaries and making exciting discoveries within the different mediums I use and also within myself,” says Jacqui.
'There are highs and lows along the way... I am challenged – excited – contemplative yet also exhilarated. Within each piece I am drawn to what relationships develop both between the differing textures and layers of the mediums and also how the concept may evolve. For me art is a journey of personal growth, the art-making process is just as fulfilling as the final outcome.”

Many people will recall seeing ‘In the Pink – Outta the Blue' in this years ‘Artist of Plenty' calendar that is produced to support the protection of women living in dangerous circumstances.

Jacqui has exhibited widely in the BOP since 2007 and will have two pieces in the popular Bethlehem College Art Exhibition in late August. She is also one of the artists featured in the ‘Double Vision' exhibition at Creative Tauranga on August 27.

Jacqui hopes to open her own gallery and artspace in Te Puke sometime in the future and can be contacted at jax.r@xtra.co.nz