Limited Edition Giclée Print by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Giclée Print on 308gsm Fine Art Etching Cotton Rag
Dimensions: A2 420×595mm
Limited Edition of 50

This piece has come full circle from a painted concept in 2012 that I subsequently built into a static model. Remember your mum with her trusty Edmonds Cook Book, and all the associated tastes, smells and sounds? In its melding of two familiar cultural icons, this faux appliance explores visual links to our childhood, while its form also celebrates the mid-century design ethos.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun.

A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Original Painting by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Original Oil Painting on Canvas in White Frame
Dimensions: 410x610mm

Showing now at Ashe as part of ‘In Good Company’ a special group exhibition celebrating One Year of Ashe
17-31 August 2026

This piece has come full circle from a painted concept in 2012 that I subsequently built into a static model. Remember your mum with her trusty Edmonds Cook Book, and all the associated tastes, smells and sounds? In its melding of two familiar cultural icons, this faux appliance explores visual links to our childhood, while its form also celebrates the mid-century design ethos.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun.

A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Limited Edition Giclee Print by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Limited Edition of 50
Paper Size A4 + 297×297mm
Giclée Print on 330gsm Fine Art Etching Cotton Rag paper

The gaze of a little Fantail/Piwakawaka is directed upward, thoughtfully, as it perches briefly and delicately on a Clematis. And a trinity of flowers subtly suggest that the spiritual can be discovered right here and now in the beauty of the natural world, in this sphere of existence.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Original Painting by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Original Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Dimensions 400×300×40mm

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Original Sculpture by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Re-purposed Buzzy Bee Sculpture
Mixed Media paint
Dimensions 170×180×80mm

It has been said that the original designer toy/urban vinyl movement was itself born of customised G.I. Joes, arguably critiquing war toys and consumerism generally, while simultaneously using found object practice, and in doing so birthing a new direction in pop culture. ‘The Love Bug’ honours the notion that the mundane can be made meaningful and puts its own spin on designer toys; rather than becoming a low volume commodity, as designer toys have become in recent years, it is a resolutely proud one off with a mission, straddling the pacifist movement and pop culture.

I decided with this work to leave the form entirely original in order for the essence of its ‘Kiwiness’ to be plainly obvious and for its very nature as a young child’s toy to symbolise an uncomplicated innocence. In a departure from previous bees I’ve reworked, I’ve used artists oils rather than the usual enamels and/or acrylics, linking it back to my painting practice. This was in order to give it a softer, more organic appearance in line with its message. The 60s flower power aesthetic metamorphoses this Buzzy Bee into an envoy of peace, tolerance and reconciliation; wings depicting peace signs/pax cultura, the duality of existence evident in the yin and yang wheels, body emblazoned with multi lingual versions of ‘peace’, and olive branch offered. On a more subtle level, blazing gunfire becomes blooming flowers, and a hand giving the peace sign is where one would expect a bee’s angry sting. Our humble Buzzy Bee is now ‘The Love Bug’, the new dove of peace showing that small can be powerful.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Limited Edition Giclee Print by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Limited Edition of 50
Paper Size A4 + 297×297mm
Giclée Print on 330gsm Fine Art Etching Cotton Rag paper

A New Zealand Falcon/Karearea at ‘Wingspan’ Rotorua where they do an incredible job rehabilitating our magnificent birds of prey who have come on hard times.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Limited Edition Print by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Limited Edition of 50
Paper Size A2 420×594mm
Giclée Print on 330gsm Fine Art Etching Cotton Rag paper

Loosely inspired by the Great Seal of the United States. ‘Air Force’ tips its hat to our much loved Tui and creates for it an imaginary family crest. Containing elements which not only allude to the Tui’s aerobatic skill, its love for a good beverage, and its sublime vocals. It also references mythology, patriotism and Kiwiana.

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Limited Edition Print by Richard Macdonald
Ōtautahi, Christchurch

Limited Edition of 50
Paper Size A2 420×594mm
Giclée Print on 330gsm Fine Art Etching Cotton Rag paper

Beware those who blindly obey the power hungry madman and make him their ‘God’

Christchurch based Richard usually works in oils on either canvas or panel, and from purely representational work, he has begun to increasingly incorporate symbolism, with many pieces operating on multiple levels; harbouring a narrative, evoking memories, or even just having a bit of fun. A background working as an art school technician, and having studied decorative paint finishes and graphic design are all ingredients which have, in one way or another, found their way into his art. And he also, as some artists are inclined, likes to have a break from the easel now and then with some three dimensional works. In his case, an ongoing series of reimagining buzzy bees nibbling at the fringes of the designer toy movement. Examples of these have been selected as finalists in both the 2018 and 2020 Miles Art Awards at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Richard’s paintings have also found their way into homes in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.