Jane Sinclair MNZM

I follow in my much-loved grandmother’s footsteps, Myrtle McDonald, a well-known watercolour artist in Wellington, NZ. Her walls were covered floor to ceiling with paintings and the dining table was buried under paper and art supplies – such a magical place to encourage creative imagination from early childhood.

While studying architecture and design in my late 20s, I began painting watercolours to earn a few extra dollars, never imagining, this instead would turn into a much-loved career, including commercial illustration and teaching art to adults. 

​I’m a landscape painter first and foremost, but I also love architecture, and our NZ birds, working in both oils and watercolours. 

I’ve had numerous solo exhibitions at venues such as the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, and Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, as well as exhibiting in galleries and group shows throughout New Zealand during the past 35 years. My paintings have found homes both here and overseas, in public and private collections, and I’m so grateful for the commissions that have made up a large part of my work since I started painting.

​Teaching has been a joy, and given back in so many ways, including the improvement of my own skills as I share the knowledge I’ve accumulated over many years of art practice.

​I was very humbled to be awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Art & Education, in the 2024 New Year's Honours List.  I'm so grateful for the support from my family and friends who have enabled me to pursue a career in the arts. Without them, I would not be here. 

​I live in rural Wairarapa on the banks of the Ruamahanga River, with the Tararua Ranges in the distance, and have always thought how lucky I am to live in the landscape I enjoy painting so much, observing the changing light throughout the day, and through the seasons.


Biography

2024 - 2025    Chair, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.

2025 Group exhibition, RSM Law Timaru Plunket Art Show

2024                Awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Art and Education

2024                 Solo exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art & History 

2023 - 2024     Deputy Chair, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.  

2017 - 2025     Studio Artist, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.

2010 - 2025     Art tutor – private adult education workshops and night classes

1993 - 2024     Commercial Greeting Card designer

2020                 Kotahitanga Group Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art & History

2016 - 2021      Chair, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc. 

2016                 Founder, ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc. Wairarapa Artists Collective

2016 - 2018       President, Masterton Art Club Inc. 

2016                 Invited exhibitor, Aratoi Foundation Art Auction

2016                 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa

2016                 Group Exhibition, Alfred Memelink Artspace, Petone

2016                 Craigs Aspiring Art Prize Awards, Wanaka

2015                 Waitakere Art Awards 

2015                 Christchurch Art Show

2015                 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa

2015                 Group exhibition, Greytown Arts Festival

2014                 Group exhibition, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Wairarapa          

2013                 Group exhibition, 5 Elements at Lennox Design Studio & Gallery, Masterton

​2013                 Merit Award International Artist magazine 2013 Landscape Competition

2013                 NZ Art Show

2012                 Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary – Art), Massey University

2011                   Invited artist @ Tim Wilson Gallery, Queenstown

1991 - 2010       Exhibited at NZ Academy of Fine Arts

2010                 NZ Art Show

2010                 Solo Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History

2010                 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 29" NZ Academy of Fine Arts

2010                 Art tutor, Wai Art Summer School

2009                 NZ Art Show

2009                 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review 

2009                 Art tutor, Makoura College Adult Education

2009                 Wai Art Awards, Wairarapa - People's Choice Award

2009                 Art tutor at King Street Artworks

2008 - 2009     Art tutor at Wai Art

2008                 Wai Art Awards, Wairarapa - Third Place, and People's Choice Award

2007                 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review

2007                 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 24" NZ Academy of Fine Arts

2007                 Friends of Aratoi, Easter Exhibition, Wairarapa

2006                 Solo Exhibition, Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History

2006                 Friends of Aratoi, Easter Exhibition, Wairarapa

1999 - 2005     Art tutor at Wairarapa College Adult Education

2005                 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review

2005                 Solo Exhibition at Prime Community Art Gallery, Masterton

2003                 Selected exhibitor with Wairarapa Review

1997 - 1998       Art tutor at UCOL Adult Education

1995                 Exhibitor in "Going Solo 5" NZ Academy of Fine Arts

1992 - 1995       Art tutor at Inverlochy Art School, Wellington

1990                 Completed B.Architecture at Auckland University

1982                 Completed B.Arts (Geography) at Victoria University, Wellington

1962                 Born Wellington