Isaac Petersen is a contemporary oil painter from New Zealand. He grew up on the rugged shores of the North Island’s west coast and now splits his time between the coastal towns of New Plymouth and Australia’s Byron Bay.

Isaac started surfing when he was just ten years old and his love of New Zealand’s coastal landscapes inspired him to put his interpretation onto canvas. He excelled at art at school and went on to study Graphic Design at Taranaki Polytech. While studying, Isaac sold his first painting and demand for his watery landscapes steadily increased.

He now paints full time, depicting pool scenes and still life as well as rugged coastal waters. Isaac often travels overseas, taking inspiration from new landscapes and re-invigorating his love for the unique New Zealand landscape. In recent years, his wife Erika often appears as a familiar figure in his paintings, adding depth and connections to the places in his paintings.

Isaac predominantly uses oils on canvas to recreate his lively, summery scenes in a photorealist style with shimmering aquamarines, deep navy blues and vibrant teal. His works have strong appeal with New Zealanders and those who love the New Zealand scenery. He regularly holds solo and joint exhibitions and his works appear in private collections around the world.

BORN 1982, New Zealand

STUDIES
Bachelor of Visual Art Degree, New Plymouth, New Zealand
(Majored in Graphic Design)

“My work is a culmination of stories from my life, my home, and places I have been. Since I can remember the ocean and rugged landscape of where I grew up in New Zealand has inspired me to paint landscapes and the sea. These paintings kick started my career as an artist in my early twenties.

Since travel being a part of my adult life, my paintings expanded to capture the ‘story” of places abroad in the last few years. I becan painting my wife, Erika, as a figure to add depth and connection to a beautiful surrounding, often water.

I hope to leave the viewer with a good feeling. Whether they can relate to my painting with a past experience, or by a fantasy of somewhere they would like to go, my painting should take them there.”

SOLO EXHIBITION

2021 ‘Under age Australian Sky’, Harvey Galleries, Sydney, Australia.
2020 ‘Here and Now’, Harvey Galleries, Sydney, Australia.
2020 ‘New Depths’, Artbay Gallery, Queenstown, New Zealand.
2017 ‘Bettie’s Pool’, Smyth Galleries, Auckland, New Zealand. (upcoming)
2016 ‘Colours of Summer’, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
2014 ‘Untitled’, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
2012 ‘Home and Away’, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
2010 ‘A Painted Region’, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
2009 ‘At the Beach’, Flagstaff Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.
2007 ‘Town and Around’, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009 ‘Out from Down Under and Beyond’, Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York

AWARDS
2017 Finalist Clifton Art Awards Brisbane
2009 Peoples Choice Award, Taranaki National Art Awards