my space

Art@Rangitane, Cassandra Gaisford, The Joyful Artist, appreciates the building’s history.

Cassandra Gaisford, The Joyful Artist at Art@Rangitane

Describe the space.

The 33-year-old building on our Bay of Islands 10-acre property was originally a farm shed. It was erected by a well-known wealthy landowner, affectionally known locally as “The Land Baron.” Russell Dreadon and his wife, Maude, lived in the shed while overseeing the building of their architecturally designed home, which (true to their vision) they called their forever home. We purchased the property from their adult children following Russell and Maude’s passing

The shed and the main house are full of big dreams and grand visions, love, and laughter. The couple held many parties in their new home, and they lived in the shed while the architecturally pioneering home was being built, so there’s a toilet, shower, and sink. Perfect for an artist’s studio.

We had brought the property virtually site unseen when we wanted to make a move from Wellington and had not even realized the shed was at the foot of the property and that it held so many possibilities. During lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, I found comfort and healing there and began painting. Later, as we shifted in and out of lockdowns, I opened the shed for exhibitions. Art classes and creativity retreats followed. I was inspired by Dr. Joe Dispenza’s call to embrace his movement GoLov 20 and lean away from the fear-driven narrative those in power fuelled during COVID-19.

I wanted to provide an uplifting experience for people who were suffering from so much fear and anxiety and te ecurtailing of so many freedoms while our borders were closed. People ventured out to see me—many in tears and distressed by feelings of loneliness.

What inspires you about the space

I love the light and proximity to the garden and sea, which inspires so many of my abstract landscape and botancial paintings. It’s very spacious and welcoming – I mean, it’s just an old shed. Unlike other galleries and studios, you don’t have to whisper, be on good behavior, or dress up. It’s made for joy. You can sing, dance, and throw paint around—as many have done during my art retreats. I’ve also had dinner parties here. It’s a very versatile space.

Very often, birds come to visit, too. Kiri, the wood pigeon we rescued on Christmas, flew in one day and can often be seen in the trees outside the studio or flying across the lawn. Honey bees come to visit when I’m working on beeswax works. We also cultivate exotic orchids in one corner as they love the light.

I am very grateful to have such a special place.

What feelings does it evoke?

My visitors regularly call it their happy place. They tell me that they feel like they’re walking into a portal of magic and wonder where creativity and joy can flourish and fear cannot find a foothood.

On brighter days, our garden and expensive lawn provide an opportunity to walk barefoot on the grass, explore, and enjoy the views and wildlife – including a visit to the alpacas in the neighboring paddock.

How did the business, Art@Rangitane develop?

My partner, affectionally known as a joyful assistant, gifted me a slider door for my birthday. 2020? And September, which inspired a rejig of the space. Gone were the rusty old, cracked Louvre windows and the old metal door at the back. In came a new entrance overlooking the sea and pastures with the beautiful new sliders at the front of the shed along with new cladding in cedar to match the main house.

We also created a back drive with dedicated access and parking and planted this with an abundance of native trees. This nourishes the local birdlife, including Kiwis, who regularly forage outside the studio at night.

We primarily wanted to show up for love and share this beautiful paradise and my art with others. I had been briefly showing and smelling smaller works in a local gallery, but the space was crammed with knickknacks, and I couldn’t exhibit the larger paintings I wanted to create.

Commissions of large work soon followed, which allowed me to create large-scale, joyful art. A timely plug-in New Zealand House And Garden, provided great publicity – bringing celebrity chef Jo Seagar and people from from all around the world to my door. You can read the article online here>>

Where once I had thought, ‘who is going to come all the way out here to Rangitane?’ which is actually only 12 K from Kerikeri (population at the time 5000), it’s become a sort-out destination for people from the UK, Australia, Holland, America, South Africa and all around the globe–and of course New Zealander wanting to buy beautiful art direct from the artist, in an inspiring setting.

Mandy with I Bought You Flowers in the UK

Mandy unrolling I Bought You Flowers from her travel tube after the painting she saw in my gallery Art@Rangitane and purchased from me arrived in the UK

Art@Rangitane has created so many happy memories—not just for me, but the local community and people from overseas. I cherish the joy my space has created. My studio environment has strongly influenced my art practice, with each of my paintings inspired by the natural environment.

It’s also where I hold my in-person Learn to Paint Amazing Abstracts classes and wellness art retreats.

If you are in the area I’d love to meet you for a special studio visit. Please call to arrange 021 873 833

DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY

In this video, I share how I created an art gallery during Covid and created more joy for others.

I hope you enjoy these recollections of the art from my heart created during 2019-2023. When the world was marinating in fear, I showed up for love and a desire to share and create joy for others

P.S. Would you love to write a book? My two-day women’s writing retreat is the weekend before Easter. Details>>