Jess from Ranger Studio

Meet the Maker

1 May

Written By Daymark

Meet the Maker: Jess Ellis from Ranger Studio.

Tell us about your journey as an artist prior to Ranger?

I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe in 2014 and began teaching creative workshops from there. I have sold my work at a number of galleries, the Auckland Art Fair and have taken part in a couple of artist residencies (which were amazing!).

How did Ranger Studio at Made come to be?

I started Ranger Studio back in 2018 and decided to do pop ups around Auckland to fill empty commercial spaces, it was so much fun and I collaborated with some cool local brands and met some amazing creatives; I have always wanted it to be a space for artists to be valued for their knowledge and skills. Being based in Waihi Beach is amazing and the dream has been to expand the studio to offer workshops in the city, so Made was the perfect place to launch our second home. I am so passionate about creating space to inspire all ages, the importance of creativity and creative thinking is so overlooked; the studio is here to encourage imagination and the importance of bringing people together to reconnect with each other.

What is your own artistic identity like and what are your favourite art forms / or what do you enjoy creating from a personal standpoint?

My artwork has always had a scientific base to it, I like to use my art to educate and share knowledge on all things environmental, inspired by our surroundings. I love bright, bold, nostalgic artworks but I tend to create quite monotone works, I got into printmaking while on my residency in 2018 and am finding my way again painting. I'm really excited to start creating again this year and utilise our new studio space!

What's your favourite part about teaching others through your workshops?

I love sharing ways of getting into flow state through creativity, the benefit on our mental health is massive. You don't have to be any good at creating, you just have to be focused on the task, that's why everyone feels so good after a workshop! I try to create the workshops to take the pressure off the final artwork and put the emphasis on the process. We personalise each of the workshops to the group so we align with your interests and what you want to achieve! I also like to acknowledge quality, only using materials that aren't harmful to the environment, finding offcuts and sharing knowledge on amazing local creative brands doing cool things.

What's coming up at Ranger?

So many things in the pipeline! We will be showcasing different creatives and hosting opening nights, we are launching a brand new series of group workshops using new materials, and we will also be launching regular drop in sessions over the weekends!

How many people do you need to book a private workshop?

Bringing people together is a main focus of the studio so hosting hens parties, birthdays (kids and adults), get togethers and corporate groups is where we thrive! But we actually host workshops one-on-one all the way up to 25+ people and cater the session to the group. We have different priced packages from basic workshop hosting to custom designed stationery and decorations! Hosting you to reconnect with your team, your friends and family while doing something expanding is such a privilege and so much fun.