ThePennyDrops

Art is a simple but magical way to make our homes memorable and meaningful - rooms where we cherish time spent, spaces we relish inviting company into, walls that reflect our journey, style and unique character.

You might already have a home that's as unique as your signature double strength, low fat, caramel shot, soy frappe, or maybe you're a standard flat white, either way a piece of original art will be the sprinkles on top - the piece that finishes your room.

Yet 'thanks' to social media, Pinterest, your fave blogs etc, you might (rightly) feel overwhelmed by images of interiors that invite us to "get the look" or blogs that scare us with headlines like "5 common decor mistakes"... enough to confuse and paralyze the best of us, or induce bland cookie cutter spaces that lack, well, oomph.

At The Penny Drops I'll replace your decor question marks with exclamation points - in the form of original art that lingers, haunts and captivates.

In a world where consumerism is 'fast' and 'en masse', I consciously make art that will be enjoyed slowly, deliberately, thoughtfully. Art that will abide on walls, evoke conversations and linger in memories.

Choosing art for your home is about heart rather than head. Connecting with a piece instinctively is a special moment which often has a timeline of its own choosing or a surprising appearance.

It's my privilege to bring you The Penny Drops - and those moments. I am New Zealand-based artist Melanie McKenzie (nee Penny). I create from a small studio at the bottom of a small country at the bottom of the world.

For a while now my notebooks have been filled with faces and eyes - in fact as I'm writing this and referring to snippets of thoughts I've jotted down over the years - my musings are liberally interjected with loose sketches of people and characters. Yet, a browse of the items I've sold over my time on Etsy, will reveal landscape paintings, watercolour botanical art, rope vessels and even scarves!

The arrival of my fourth baby has rebirthed me as an artist and now I'm using precious (scarce!) creative moments to answer that calling - and finding the shadows and contours that give a face her drama and poignancy aren't that different to the shadows and contours that gave my landscape paintings their form and intrigue.

I aim to make art that will speak to you; that transgresses your eyes and moves straight to your heart.

You'll know.
You'll feel it.
That moment.
When it 'clicks': when The Penny Drops.

xx Mel