Kia ora, I’m Zena, the artist & wahine behind Dots On Rocks Aotearoa.
My journey into painting began with a deeply personal and emotional experience. After my dad passed away, I attended his tangi and stepped onto a marae for the very first time. That experience was transformative—it reconnected me with my Māori roots and opened a door to my culture that had been closed for the first 30 years of my life. Through this reconnection, I found healing, and my passion for art was reignited.
Dots On Rocks was officially founded when I moved to Ruatoria, but the seed for this creative journey was planted when my best friend and cousin, Leah, passed away. It was then that I discovered the power of art through a simple rock, and in managing my mental health, Fibromyalgia & Complex PTSD, I turned to painting as a source of healing. During my time in Ruatoria, this seed grew, and art became my therapy, my expression, and my way of connecting.
Now, I’ve moved back to Christchurch to take my art and business into a new chapter. I have a vision to grow a community of healing through the magic of art, and I’m excited to start teaching workshops, sharing my story, and helping others find peace and mindfulness through creativity. With a new home and studio underway, I’m filled with anticipation for the exciting times ahead.
Ngā mihi nui for being part of this journey!
Mauri ĀIO. Mauri Ora, Mauri Aroha
Zena