From canvas to stone: The art of Meredith Parkin

15 Aug 2024

Meredith Parkin has found her canvas in an unexpected place – rocks. What started as a journey through various art forms has blossomed into a unique expression of beauty and creativity. Using many vibrant Resene hues, Meredith creates her mindful masterpieces.  

Meredith’s artistic journey began on traditional canvases, exploring the intricate technique of pointillism during her school years. A serendipitous encounter on social media sparked her curiosity – painting on rocks. "It took ages to get them right," Meredith says, "but eventually, I found my style." This transition from canvas to stone marked a profound evolution in her artistic expression. 

Meredith uses an array of colours to paint her rocks, including bold brights like Resene Daredevil, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Big Bang, Resene Turbo, Resene Bingo, Resene Mabel, Resene Apple Green and Resene Paua. 

While rocks became her primary medium, Meredith’s artistic repertoire extends beyond them. Recently, she has delved into Chinese watercolour. This exploration underscores her versatility and commitment to artistic experimentation. 

Describing her style as meticulous and detailed, Meredith’s work resonates with a precision that captivates the eye. Drawing inspiration from renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, she infuses her creations with a sense of pattern and rhythm, creating mesmerising visual tapestries on the surface of each rock. 

The intricate work of pointillism creates a striking result against of curves of each rock.  These rocks are painted with an array of Resene colours. 

Yayoi Kusama’s influence is evident in Meredith’s work, where patterns and dots converge to form cohesive yet visually arresting compositions. This homage to Yayoi speaks to Meredith’s admiration for artists who push boundaries and redefine artistic norms. 

Meredith employs fine paintbrushes to achieve the intricate details that define her work. Despite experimenting with other tools, she consistently returns to brushes for their precision and control.  

Meredith’s canvas art shows the delicate detail that goes into each of her works. Including her favourite shade, Resene Daredevil, alongside other brights like Resene Adrenalin, Resene Big Bang, Resene Turbo, Resene Bingo, Resene Mabel, Resene Apple Green and Resene Paua. 

When it comes to favourites, Meredith’s favourite colour is without a doubt Resene Daredevil, a vibrant fluoro orange. She praises Resene for its depth of colour, which enriches her artistic vision and brings her creations to life with unparalleled vibrancy. 

Painting rocks is not just about creating art – it’s a therapeutic journey of self-discovery and mindfulness.  

Beyond personal expression, Meredith’s journey underscores the therapeutic benefits of art. Painting, whether on canvas or rock, offers a sanctuary – a space where one can immerse oneself in creativity and find solace amidst life’s complexities. It’s a reminder that art, in its myriad forms, has the power to heal, to inspire, and to transform. If you’ve ever wanted to give it a go, pick up the brush and see where it takes you.  

Get in touch with Meredith: meredith@glengarry.co.nz  

Published: 15 Aug 2024