About

My work is deeply inspired by my committed yoga practice, which offers both a physical discipline and a guiding philosophy. This practice nurtures mindfulness and fosters a deep connection to the present moment—principles that flow into my creative process and shape the way I approach my ceramics—with intention, patience, and presence.

Drawing on colors and forms significant to my Aotearoa and Chinese cultures, I blend traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics. Each piece is crafted to evoke a sense of harmony and balance, serving as a tool for enhancing meditative and mindful experiences, and offering a quiet reminder of the beauty in stillness. Through these creations, I invite viewers to experience a moment of reflection, drawing on the calm and clarity that mindfulness brings.


Bio

Isla Ferrer, an Aotearoa-born Chinese artist, embarked on her creative journey at Intermediate School when she joined the photography club. This early exploration ignited a lifelong passion that would weave through her experiences.

A pivotal moment in her artistic journey was the joy she found in experimenting with various camera settings and lenses. Through this exploration, Isla created impressionistic and abstract photographic images that mirrored the grace and artistry inherent in everyday life.

Captivated by the vibrancy and luminosity of soft pastels, Isla transitioned to this medium to capture the ethereal quality of her photographic images. Encouraged by her tutors, she delved into the realm of representational art, refining compositions to imbue her subjects with a duality of both realism and abstraction.

In 2021, Isla went through a phase of reassessing her artistic intentions. Today, Isla's works are inspired by her lifelong yoga practice. In her pursuit of artistic expression, she draws on colours and forms significant to her Aotearoa and Chinese cultures, blending traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics in a way that feels both personal and timeless.

Isla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education and a Master of Arts (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She is currently working towards a PostGraduate Certificate in Fine Arts at Elam, University of Auckland.


Awards

  • 2022 - Awarded Signature Member - Society of Animal Artists
  • 2021 - TB Bank Award - 26th Annual Pastel Society of Eastern Canada ‘Les Pastellistes’ International Exhibition (“Eat, Sleep, Repeat”)
  • 2021 - Awarded Distinguished Member - Pastel Artists of New Zealand
  • 2021 - First Place Award - Pastel Society of Australia 2021 Annual Exhibition - People & Animals Category (“Romney Scarf”)
  • 2021 - Art Institutes of Distinction Award - 49th Pastel Society of America Annual Exhibition ‘Enduring Brilliance’ (“Bee at Work”)
  • 2021 - Third Place Award - Dakota Pastels 2021 Second Quarter Pastel Competition - Emerging Category (“Mesmer-eyes-ed”)
  • 2021 - Honourable Mention - Light Space & Time 11th Annual ‘Animals’ Art Exhibition (“Dozing Puppies”)
  • 2021 - Special Merit Award - Light Space & Time 11th Annual ‘Animals’ Art Exhibition (“Mesmer-eyes-ed”)
  • 2021 - Third Place Terry Ludwig Award - Pastel Artists of New Zealand ‘Purely Pastel’ Online National Exhibition (“Dozing Puppies”)
  • 2020 - Awarded Artist Member - Pastel Artists of New Zealand
  • 2020 - Honourable Mention - Pastel 100 - Animal & Wildlife Category (“Milo III”)
  • 2020 - Honourable Mention - Pastel 100 - Animal & Wildlife Category (“One of 27.5 Million”)
  • 2020 - Honourable Mention - Richeson75 - Animals, Birds & Wildlife (“Mesmer-eyes-ed”)
  • 2020 - First Place Award - Pastel Guild of Europe ‘Get Dusty’ Annual Open Competition - Animal Category (“Milo”)
  • 2020 - Merit Award - Pastel Artists of New Zealand ‘Purely Pastel’ National Exhibition (“Wake Me Up For Meals”)


Exhibitions 

  • 2022 - International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Juried Pastelworld Exhibition - 40th Open Division (New Mexico, United States)
  • 2022 - Pastel Artists of New Zealand ‘Purely Pastel’ National Exhibition (Wellington, New Zealand)
  • 2022 - Left Coast Pastel Painters Society ‘Pastels in Paradise’ Online International Exhibition
  • 2021 - Pastel Society of Eastern Canada ‘Les Pastellistes’ Online International Exhibition
  • 2021 - International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Juried Webshow - 39th Open Division
  • 2021 - Pastel Society of Australia Annual Exhibition
  • 2021 - 49th Pastel Society of America Annual Exhibition ‘Enduring Brilliance’
  • 2021 - 5th Annual Pastel Society of North Carolina ‘Pure Color’ International Online Exhibition
  • 2021 - Society of Animal Artists ‘Art that Matters to the Planet’ (New York, New Jersey & Kansas, United States)
  • 2021 - Society of Animal Artists ‘Animal Impressions’ (Arizona, United States)
  • 2021 - ‘Pastel Pieces’ Exhibition (Auckland, New Zealand)
  • 2021 - Pastel Artists of New Zealand ‘Purely Pastel’ Online National Exhibition
  • 2020 - Richeson75 - Animals, Birds & Wildlife Online Exhibition
  • 2020 - Pastel Artists of New Zealand ‘Purely Pastel’ National Exhibition (Dunedin, New Zealand)
  • 2019 - ‘Passionate About Pastels’ Exhibition (Auckland, New Zealand)


Articles

  • 2021 - Colored Pencil Magazine (June) - “Fabulous Fur”


Memberships

Signature Member of Pastel Society of America (PSA)

Distinguished Member of Pastel Artists of New Zealand (DPANZ)