I’m Bernadette Ballantyne, a New Zealand artist working primarily in soft pastels, creating detailed, photorealistic portraits of people, animals, and the natural world. My work focuses on capturing fleeting moments…quiet, often overlooked slices of life that invite a sense of recognition and reflection.

With a long-standing connection to both nature and storytelling, my practice spans pet portraiture, figurative work, and florals. More recently, I’ve been exploring themes of childhood, memory, and rural New Zealand life, particularly the way imagination and environment shape our experiences.

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2005) and was awarded NZ Emerging Artist of the Year in the same year. After completing a teaching diploma, I spent 13 years teaching in primary schools before transitioning to full-time art practice in 2022. My work has since developed a strong emphasis on realism, light, and atmosphere, with a focus on drawing viewers into a moment in time.

Alongside my studio practice, I teach art lessons and am passionate about encouraging others to engage with creativity in an accessible and meaningful way. I’m also interested in projects that connect artists with their communities and bring art into everyday spaces.

I welcome opportunities for commissions, teaching, and collaborative or community-based projects, and I’m always keen to connect with other creatives across Aotearoa.