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Eye of the Calm' was an exhibition title used by Reilly as an expression of her life's work. This expression is continued here with an insight into her beginnings as an artist and her subsequent career. Reilly has a strong connection to coastal New Zealand and a great love of the country's wildlife. From first encounters with Tui in her grandmother's garden to memories of rolling hills overlooking the ever-changing sea, these passions have inspired her work and are brought to life here in a beautiful collection.
Experience a sense of calm and hope with this story of a fascinating life told through both words and imagery. Themes including death, grief, finding new paths, and even dance and the joyful movement of birds in flight are explored in a manner that is personal, yet universal. A beautiful, meditative exploration of a life and a life's work.
"Familiar to many from a popular line of calendars and greeting cards- are beautifully reproduced here with a richness of colour that captures the clear light of a new Zealand summer." - Joanna Wane, NZ Hearld, Canvas Magazine
“New Zealand artist, conservationist and author Clare Reilly has been painting and writing for more than 40 years, meticulously charting a life defined by deep connections with nature, … She describes her homeland as “an ark of forest and birds, sailing adrift in the Southern Ocean”, and pastel images of the likes of Kokako at Dawn(2014) are accompanied by lyrical verse. Imagine its “haunting bell notes” at first light amid the “fragrant, musty bush” of ancient tree ferns and be transported to a timeless, gentle and enchanting world.” - The Australian
“This beautiful book uses autobiographical writing and prints of more than 100 of Reilly’s gentle and dreamy paintings to provide insight into her life and career as an artist. They reflect on her first encounters with tui, bellbirds and kereru at her grandmother’s house in Dunedin, … and her involvement in various conservation and wildlife support projects. The works illustrate many of Reilly’s favourite themes, including habitat destruction and renewal, and the healing qualities of nature.” - The Garden