Paula Saunders

 Paula Saunders – Mixed Media Artist 

Paula Saunders is a Ceramic Artist and Painter based in McLeod Bay, New Zealand. With a background in Interior Design spanning 25 years, Paula has always been captivated by design – whether found in nature or the built environment. Her artistic journey has been shaped by a lifetime of travel, diverse living experiences, and a deep connection to her surroundings. 

Paula’s ceramic work is entirely hand-built, starting from a slab and lovingly shaped into unique homewares, wall hangings, and garden totems. She imprints patterns using her own custom-designed stamps and employs the sgraffito technique to add depth and detail. Glazing plays a vital role in her creations, with colour as her driving force – each finished piece is a surprise, shaped by the nuances of glaze application and kiln firing temperatures. 

Painting has been an integral part of Paula’s life for as long as she can remember. Working across different media and styles, she translates her observations and emotions onto canvas in her own distinctive way. Often, she draws inspiration from photographs she takes, using them as a starting point rather than a strict reference – her works are not mere representations but impressions of a moment, a feeling, or an idea. 

For Paula, art is more than a practice – it’s a way of life. 

“If Nothing Else, Believe in Art”