Born and raised in Auckland, Libby McColl has always held a deep respect and love for rural New Zealand. The New Zealand countryside is the inspiration for her warm emotive paintings. McColl is mainly self taught, with a background in Graphic Design, she has been painting professionally since 2004. She chooses to paint in the acrylic medium because it’s spontaneity and versatility suits her rustic, realistic style.
“The Roar of Silence. Have you ever found yourself utterly alone in the South Island wilderness. Coming from the North Island myself I am always in utter awe of the immensity of the alps, the sheerness of the granite mountains, the volume of water pouring off them on a wild wet day, the powerful and untouched beauty. When I’m on a great walk with friends I always try and have a few hours walking utterly alone, no rustle of clothes and chatter around me. The silence and feeling of smallness in the magnitude of the landscape is an incredible feeling. The silence becomes almost a roar as the surroundings overwhelm you. This series of work attempts to capture that feeling.” - Libby McColl