I received the sad news from Piera McArthur’s son that his mother died today—96 years young, sitting in her armchair at home, surrounded by her daughters.
She was an accomplished artist… pioneering, fun-loving and playful. A woman not afraid to paint “tits and bums” and “nipples” John laughed.
This wonderful painting has traveled with us to The Bay of Islands from Piera’s studio in Wellington.
She painted another piece for us in her 90th year to celebrate our move here.
“I didn’t know you were a Sacred Heart girl,” John said when I shared that I too had attended Erskine College.
What a talent. What a mind. What a heart.
Rest in joy Piera. We shall always cherish the legacy you left.
… i came across an older blog post… written 6 years ago
“The wonderful thing about art is that you are never too old (or too young) to create. I have a painting in my home created by Piera McArthur when she had just turned 90 years young. She is still painting.
Piera writes, “The Battle is always on! Recognition may be desirable, but what if the end of the struggle brought complacency? Surely this is the saddest fate for the creative spirit. There are successes in the painter’s life that do not depend on the public arena. To be a painter is a gift from the Gods and not for a minute may you neglect this great love affair.”
She also writes, “The purpose of one’s existence is to find the next wonderful thing, and I’ll never stop looking.”
So much wisdom. So much inspiration.
Triumphant, Cassandra The Joyful Artist, 2018
Details, Triumphant, Cassandra The Joyful Artist, 2018
Details, Triumphant, Cassandra The Joyful Artist, 2018
THE STORY BEHIND THIS PAINTING
I created Triumphant during our house rennovations when the cost blowouts and hidden invoices presented at the last moment threatened to derail us. All looked lost, which is a classic ‘black moment’ in story telling structures like the Christopher Voglers, Heros Journey. It is a moment of profound transformation. A moment where the character can either fall victim or emerge triumphant. Hence the painting’s name. And yes, for an additional 7 joyful years we did remain in our home—joyous and triumphant. That’s how paintings become friends, oracles, spiritual guides—beacons of strength during transitions in your life.
The painting hung in our home during the worst of the legal maneuvering between the builder and us. Happily, we found a win-win solution and compromised, keeping the harmonious energy in our home, which is so important to us.
I write more about this journey in The Princess: A Machiavellian Parable
Book One of The Playbook Series
A true story of awakening, betrayal, and fierce feminine power.
She trusted him.
He betrayed her.
Now she’s rewriting the rules—one truth at a time.
For every woman who’s ever been gaslit, silenced, manipulated, or made to feel like she was too much—this is your story.
In The Princess, bestselling author Cassandra Gaisford transforms personal trauma into powerful truth. When a charming man exploited her trust, weaponized kindness, and threatened to take her home, she was forced to awaken the warrior within. Through heartbreak, manipulation, and near ruin, she discovered the ancient power of naming the game—and rising above it.
Rooted in myth, personal memoir, and Machiavellian strategy, The Princess is the first book in The Playbook Series—a bold, liberating guide for reclaiming your power in a world full of smiling liars and false kings.
AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FK34Y9GK
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FK34Y9GK
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FK34Y9GK
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FK34Y9GK
iBOOKS, KOBO, BARNES & NOBLE, AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES
https://books2read.com/u/mq2521
This large floral Bloom was also inspired by Piera McArthur and donated to Hospice NZ. You may enjoy reading about my personal mission to give back to charities that support this in need in our communities>>
I also share some floral beauties on my blog here>>
#pieramcarthur
Salud, Amor, Dinero (Health, Love, Money) was written on the painting we commissioned from Piera McArthur, in her studio. Created when she was 90. You may enjoy my blog post Why Piera McArthur Inspires Me
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