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KEA | Tattoo & Painting | Raglan NZ

@kea.arts

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🪶 Transforming skin into stories, through organic, nature inspired & tribal handpoke tattooing
🪶studio owner - @temple_tattoo_nz
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Bella and Yannik contacted me after they got engaged in the pine forest above my house, that looks over the Whāingaroa harbour. They walked past my studio after the engagement, which was a perfect synchronicity as they had been wanting a tattoo in Aotearoa on their travels.
We had a consultation and they both wanted large pieces to symbolise their time on this beautiful whenua and their commitment to each other.

When it came to the tattoo time, we did it in back to back sessions over six days, to fit it in before I go overseas for a few months. All in 100% handpoke (machine free tattooing).
This week was well and truly a tattoo marathon, working deep into the night the last day to get the project finished on time (I may be good at tattooing but I’m also really good at overestimating my tattoo speed lol).
A portal of art and ritual.

My body is exhausted but I’m completely filled with gratitude, purpose and passion.

Gratitude for clients finding me that are so freaking cool, aligned and truly value my art and turning into friends throughout the time spent together.

Gratitude for the confirmation that this is my purpose, I actually love tattooing so much. Especially artworks like this.

Gratitude for the opportunities and trust I receive to mark people’s bodies with my art forever. It is such a privilege.

More photos coming soon! 🌀🍃 taken in Raglan, New Zealand by @kea.arts

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4 months ago

To capture the soul and the essence of a person and their story in a deeply significant tattoo is something I do not take lightly.
It is such an honour.
There’s so much I can say about it and yet, I feel this piece speaks for itself.
Thank you thank you thank youuu 🪶🌀🫶
100% handpoke

#keaarts #handpoke #handpokeartist #newzealandtattoo #handpoketattoo #naturetattoo #tribaltattoo #organictattoo #spiraltattoo #ferntattoo taken in Raglan, New Zealand by @kea.arts

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10 months ago

‘Māia’ 🦚🌀

My paintings are a physical expression of my internal world. Some people use words to explain their journey and what’s on their mind, but I usually like to use my paint brush.

And therefore I won’t over-explain what this piece means, but in short, she represents harnessing courage, confidence and pride, a few necessary traits I’ve personally had to further develop over the last few years when moving into a new career, phases of my life and growth as a human being.

I started this painting over a year ago, and over that time we have both undergone many layers of transformation.

🙏🌀🦚 by @kea.arts

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2 years ago

“An ode to the feminine”

Soo much symbolism and love gone into this piece, and I feel this painting couldn’t have come at a better time.

With everything happening in the world, I’ve been thinking a lot about women. About the ways we have been treated throughout history, the ways those patterns still show up today, and how deeply engrained the idea of women being the “lesser” gender has become. Yeah, I am pissed.
But instead of another rage post, here is a reminder of the beauty of what being a woman and feminine means.

I do not place the feminine, above the masculine,
or the masculine above the feminine.

We need them in harmony.
Not competing or diminishing one another.
But recognising the strength in what makes each different.

Let us remember the feminine.
Not just as fragile survivors, but as the powerful force of creation that is a woman

💙

Available for purchase - 445x590mm - oil on canvas by @kea.arts

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a day ago

A few minis 🧡
These are definitely the smallest paintings I’ve ever done and were super fun! It’s harder than I thought to work on a small scale, because every brush stroke counts and is noticed… a good challenge 😊

I believe art should be accessible to everyone, and mini paintings are a nice way to make that possible. These originals will be available at Raglan arts weekend for only $80!!
Also open for custom commissions if there’s any mini paintings you’d like 🌿🤎 taken in Raglan, New Zealand by @kea.arts

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6 days ago

Temple tattoo nz presents ‘Te timatanga’ - An exhibition marking the beginning of Temple tattoo, Whāingaroa, Raglan
by KEA and Stasia in collaboration with Raglan arts weekend!

Anastasia is a Raglan-based artist living near the water, where the surrounding coast, forests, and wildlife continually inspire her work. Having always loved creating, she recently returned home after travelling and is now focusing more deeply on her art practice. Working with acrylic, gouache, and ink, Anastasia enjoys the way colour can pop and come alive on the page. Her expressive, vibrant style celebrates the natural world, using bold yet soft lines and playful compositions. Each piece is created as a small expression of gratitude for the beauty and wonder she finds in nature

KEA is an artist whose work is inspired by the natural world and ancestral expression. Her paintings explore organic form, recurring patterns in nature, and earthy tonal palettes that feel familiar yet slightly otherworldly. She translates subtle details into layered, flowing compositions that invite people to slow down and look a little closer.
Alongside her painting practice, KEA is also a tattoo artist, carrying the same philosophy into her work on skin. Her approach is holistic and collaborative, viewing tattooing as both a meaningful process and an aesthetic statement. Across both mediums, her work is a form of storytelling. A way of marking moments, honouring identity, and reconnecting with intention.
Flash tattoos will also be available in the studio during the weekend.

139 Riria Kereopa memorial drive
10am-5pm
24-26th October taken in Raglan, New Zealand by @kea.arts

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7 days ago

Process video of ‘Pip the pīwakawaka’

Acrylic on canvas - 200x200
For sale ~ dm for details 🪶🤎 taken in New Zealand by @kea.arts

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14 days ago

This painting is in honour of my little dog, Pip.
She passed away near Christmas last year, after being my animal best friend for 17 years.

I always thought Pip had an uncanny resemblance to pīwakawaka/fantails. Similar coloured markings and very much the same personality: very friendly, chirpy, confident and curious.
And I’ve always felt a strong connection to birds, particularly the pīwakawaka and the Kāhu.

It is believed that pīwakawaka are a spiritual messenger that connects the physical world with the spirit realm. Some traditions say a pīwakawaka flying indoors warns of an upcoming death.
I very much believe this to be true through having had experiences and encounters that were too strange to be deemed a mere coincidence.

A few years ago for example, one came while I was sleeping in the van and was urgently and deliberately tapping on the window with its beak. It did this until I woke up and acknowledged it. Later that day I received the news that an old friend had passed away. It came again the next day and did the same thing, then when I had a chat with it and said my goodbyes, he left for good.

After Pip passed, one appeared and has hung around our house ever since. She’s also come into my studio multiple times while we’ve been building it as if to say ‘you’re doing it! I knew you could do it’ and ‘even though you say no dogs in the studio you damn well know you would never have kept me out of here’😂she’s totally right.

Although death feels sad, I’ve never had a bad or sinister feeling from any of these experiences. More like a message or a visit.
I do miss my little Pip though. The best side kick, emotional support and adventure buddy I’ve ever had ❤️🥹 taken in New Zealand by @kea.arts

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15 days ago

Some learnings and reflections about the Amazigh - culture, tattoos and people 💙 taken in Morocco by @kea.arts

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21 days ago

Quarter of a century on this planet 🌍

This is not a ‘look how perfect my life is’ post, but more a ‘you really have no idea how much can happen in five years’ post

You can have a general direction and idea of where life is going, you need that for momentum. But the opportunities that arise, doors that close or open, people you meet, tragedies and triumphs that come your way can all massively influence and drastically change the course of life.

When I left school I had no idea it was even possible to be an artist. That was ‘just a hobby’
This will be the year that I become a full time artist.

I kept getting into relationships with either toxic or unavailable men and played out unhealthy patterns in my romantic life.
I now find myself blessed with an amazing partner who I am building a future with.

I was led to believe that my beauty and vitality would peak in my early 20s and it went down hill from there. Yet I feel like my security, confidence, strength and health in my body now is only getting better.

And the thread that ties it all together seems to be the people…
I have multiple artists around me that are living the reality I want - my partner, my mentor, and others that are both role models and friends.

I stopped being the victim of relationships ending badly, did some serious self reflection, admitted where I was being immature or toxic too, and made very conscious decisions about what relationship I want and how I deserve to be treated.

I’m surrounded by many women that are older than me, who look after themselves, lift each other up, don’t gossip, radiate confidence, and role model that beauty, health and life in general doesn’t peak when you’re 21.

The people you surround yourself with has a huge role to play in the shaping of your reality in the now and in the future.

I hope this next year brings me deeper into my purpose, confidence, power, intuition, integrity, discipline, creativity and fun. Chur taken in New Zealand by @kea.arts

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a month ago

A proper introduction, for the new faces and the old ones. Swipe through and get to know me🌞🪶 taken in New Zealand by @kea.arts

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a month ago

Some tattoos I did a while back that I hadn’t posted yet. I think it’s important for clients to know: if I haven’t posted your tattoo right away, it doesn’t mean I don’t love it. I truly do.

Artists wear a lot of hats. It’s not just tattooing, painting, and designing, it’s messages, emails, admin, invoicing, keeping up with social media and marketing, content and photo editing, studio upkeep, practicing and continuing to get more education in my craft… and then normal life on top of that: family, friends, animals, health and fitness, rest days, other hobbies, and for some artists another job too.

This isn’t a complaint, just an explanation. Sometimes I genuinely forget, or something else takes priority in the moment.

But I do think every tattoo deserves the spotlight, big or small. Even when it’s not our dream project or a huge deal to us as artists, for most clients it’s a big deal to trust someone to put ink in their skin forever. That’s something I never want to forget!

So here’s a few - starting with an organic spiral custom design

My clients first ever tattoo - chosen from my flash

Abstract fern - custom designed

Custom designed organic ear piece for my client/friend

Another first ever tattoo! For my clients 60th birthday, triskelion with daisies, representing her heritage and children.

Custom chest piece add on for a lovely client. The lower three sections on both sides - Dotwork spirals and ornamental lines by me, the top and middle by another artist

This side is healed in this photo

And this side is freshly done

Custom fish in an illustrative Dotwork style. Bit different for me but was fun! 🐟

Little star chosen from my flash

Little heart hand drawn by my client, the mother of some friends of mine. Another first ever tattoo 😊😊 taken in Raglan, New Zealand by @kea.arts

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2 months ago