The Central App will share a story of our region’s artists each month. If you know someone with creative talent to nominate contact: [email protected]

Cromwell’s Jane Henderson is a sewer and artist from the United Kingdom.

What is special about where you live?

“Cromwell, [is] a wonderful place surrounded by mountains, lakes and [there is] plenty of space to explore.”

How did you get started as an artist?

“My creativity started back in the UK. I studied fashion textiles…part of these courses was illustration, and a lot of exploring of colour and textures through textiles design. On top of that I just loved to draw whenever I could.”

Native birds such as this waxeye feature in Jane’s work

How have you ended up living and working here?

“I came travelling on my own in 2007. I met my husband in Queenstown while working there as a landscape gardener in 2008. During this time Pete (my husband) introduced me to hunting and exploring the amazing backcountry of South Island.

“We moved to Cromwell four years later when buying our home, and expecting our first child. That's when I started my own sewing business SewCromwell, [and] started to attend farmers markets and sell my sewing work and prints of native birds.”

Jane Henderson

What’s your favourite spot in Central?

“I love to be close to water so hanging out at Lake Dunstan with my children is a must. And I love to get into the mountains.”

What else are you involved in within the community?

“I have recently become a Kea Scout leader helping the younger ones explore, discover the outdoors and learn skills. I help out at my kids' school and in the future will be involved in teacher aiding.”

Falcon drawn in graphite

What do you see as the biggest challenge for Central?

“Continuing to keep up with the speed at which Cromwell is growing; infrastructure and schools, daycare, roads. 

“It's amazing that in the ten years I’ve lived here, how many houses have gone up. I’m excited about the facility that will replace the memorial hall, [it] will be amazing for the arts and community.”

How can people find out more about your art?

“My artwork is at @janehendersonart on Instagram, including one off pieces to sell. You can DM me via instagram. My native bird prints in graphite are on my Sew Cromwell website.”

Morepork sketch

How did you manage through the pandemic and what are you doing differently post

Covid-19?

“Covid was a time to sit tight and relax with family. My parents got stuck here while visiting... they eventually got a repatriation flight out eight weeks in.

“Unfortunately both my business and my husband's business pretty much closed down.

“When things got moving again my work picked up, but my husband's has taken until now to pick up again; he is a personal guide for Out There Southern Adventures.”

What does the future look like for you?

“I dedicate one day a week to my artwork…my dream would be to increase that. I am playing around with watercolours to improve, and take part in challenges on Instagram to help keep up and improve my drawing skills. I'm hoping to submit some artwork into this year's Arts Central Exhibition (ACE) here in Cromwell this year too.”