Hi there, I'm Zivana...

Welcome to my studio! I love all things horses and wildlife..

Here you will find a collection of my original work, fine art prints and art events I run in beautiful Northland, New Zealand.

“I am drawn to animals the most, animals that exude a bold and untamed beauty. I am in awe of the horse, the juxtaposition between the powerful spirit and gentle nature captivates me and I endeavour to reflect that underlying contrast in my work.”

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My Story

I have always been creative and from a young age could often be spotted with a pencil in hand. I was also quite the animal fanatic so one of my fave pictures to draw over and over again rather obsessively as a kid was an army of dogs and an army of lions fighting each other…??? 🤷🤷 The dogs would always win of course (I’ve been rooting for the underdog since ages ago 👊). As time went on, my subject choice evolved as my love for horses blossomed and before I knew it, my school books were covered in horse drawings..

When I finished school, my Nana told me I should pursue a career in art; she told me specifically that I should be a pet portrait artist (she must have thought the dogs in my dog and lion scenes were a bit of alright). But, like every young wide-eyed art enthusiast, I was advised against pursuing art by everyone else and was told to pursue a career in the sciences, so I did. I completed a BSc double major in Ecology and Zoology (I was in no way going to compromise my love for animals) and then went on to complete a Masters degree in Environmental Management. I hardly touched a brush during this time. After finishing Uni, I went though a phase of feeling a little lost and spent the next 3 years travelling and working casually in retail/hospitality/sales/whatever I could do to ensure the continuation of my commitment free lifestyle. It wasn’t until 2016 that I drew again…a horse of course! And in 2017 I started doing pet portraits just as my Nana so wisely suggested. Rest her soul.

Fast forward to now and I find myself a lot more grounded these days. As of 2020, I am 27, living in Whangarei, have a day job in local government doing environmental monitoring and I still love drawing horses! I have slightly expanded my subject portfolio to include wildlife as a means to avoid becoming a one trick pony (😉😅)…. Great puns aside, visual art will always be something that motivates my soul and an outlet where I can express my passion. I have a strong appreciation and deep sense of respect for all life on this planet which I hope to convey in my art by showcasing my subjects in a bold and empowering light.

Feel free to browse my work and please let me know what you think! As always, your feedback and opinions are very much appreciated 🙏✌️

Wildlife Artists designed and manufactured wildlife-themed goods with the hopes of inspiring youngsters to do more for the environment by placing something lovely and practical in their hands.

Art Classes in Whangarei

As well as selling my own artworks, I sometimes offer art classes in Whangarei. I run both pastel and acrylic painting classes so be sure to check out my events section to see what art classes I am offering at any given time. I also run ongoing wine and paint events called Van Gogh & Vino which are acrylic painting classes with a twist. This is directed at beginner levels artists learning to paint in a relaxed social environment.