Ken Nysse Profile

My name is Ken Nysse (pronounced Nice-ee). My surname is Dutch although I'm Kiwi born. I was surrounded by Dutch culture as I grew up and my paternal grandmother was a significant artistic influence to me in my early years. She encouraged us in various artistic activities. In my early years I often drew, created and built things as sitting quietly and reading wasn't my biggest forte. Again my Mother was the creative and artistic one, as Dad was a businessman and through Mum, my creativity was also nurtured. In my teenage years, I purchased a compressor and air-brushes and earned a little pocket money custom painting graphics and murals onto cars, vans, helmets, a boat and even a fridge door. I often assisted the school art teacher with the backdrops for our college's musicals and operas.

After University and 2 years travelling through Europe on an O.E., I returned to New Zealand and joined the corporate life working in a variety of sales and marketing positions over the years-all with a very much creative element.

I now live in Havelock North with my partner of 22 years 'Michele' and our 3 children Joshua (18), Olivia (15) and Julia (11). When we returnrd back to Hawkes Bay 4 years ago, after spending 13 years in Auckland, I re-engaged my artistic energies into painting. I have a small studio in our home ( making room by shifting my son's drum kit into his bedroom).
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I have been exhibiting in a number of personal and selected exhibitions, cafe's and Hawkes Bay wineries and most recently now exclusively in Napier's Quay Gallery and Tamarillo Gallery in central Wellington.