Welcome to a World of Visionary Art
Discover the mystical and magical collection of Elizabeth Kyle
The Art Gallery
Elizabeth Kyle Gallery houses Visionary Surrealist Elizabeth’s private collection of over seventy works of art. Featuring her extensive and prize-winning works spanning fifty years of an award-winning professional career in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, Elizabeth is pleased to share her passion and dedication through her personally-led tours of the Gallery.
Book a TourAbout the Artist
Growing up on a dairy farm in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, Elizabeth became imbued with the beauty of Nature. As a young child she had mastery of her hand as well as the gift of seeing visions. Her parents recognized her talent and sent her to Tauranga Girls’ College.
In 1969 Elizabeth enrolled at Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland. Here she received A+ and was noted as a top up and coming, young artist. Since graduating, she has been a professional artist.
Elizabeth hosted her own private art galleries in Olinda, Victoria, and Surfers Paradise, Qld, Australia. Repatriating to New Zealand in 2015, Elizabeth and her partner, Ron, bought the historic Old Court House in Thames as a permanent gallery.
The Hand-Painted Car
After her car's bonnet began to peel, Elizabeth bought a replacement from a scrap yard and painted it with artists’ acrylic paint. The spray-painter said she needed to paint the whole car, so she did! Enhancing the car took Elizabeth seven months full-time in 2008, becoming a moving art gallery.
The House Truck Home
Wanting to live in a ‘jewellery box’, not a ‘shoe box’, Elizabeth bought an old furniture van and transformed it into an eccentric Medieval moving folly. It took two years to complete, with hand-painted furniture and 64 floor tiles. These pieces are now in her Thames gallery living quarters.
Visionary Surrealism
"To understand what Visionary Surrealism is... you need to know something about Surrealism... What distinguishes Visionary Surrealism from the other two styles is that it is the most positive. It looks to the highest ideals of human kind... Therefore, there must be a religious or spiritual content.”
- Michael Bell, Art historian, San Francisco Art Commission
Celtic Madonna 1
1992 - Acrylic on Board
Morning Glory
1984 - Acrylic on Canvas
A Gift from Athena
1996 - Acrylic on Canvas
Domino
1984 - Acrylic on Canvas
Gallery Services & Attractions
Artist-Led Gallery Tours
It is not often you meet the artists themselves. We are privileged to have Elizabeth accompany us as we view her works, gaining insights no critic could perceive.
Elizabeth shares the messages she receives from Gaia, becoming a "Window to the Soul." Hear the magical stories behind paintings like 'Domino' and 'Morning Glory'.
Merlin's Den
Discover a world of Wizardry, Alchemy, and wonder. Merlin’s Apothecary is full of colourful potions, exotic concoctions, and mock stained-glass windows. A realm for young wizards to reach their full potential!
Artyfacts Gift Shop
Elizabeth’s original paintings are in her private collection, but in the ArtyFacts Gift Shop you will find high-quality reproductions. Canvas prints, paper prints, and greetings cards are all available.
Find an emporium of unusual gifts: dragons, unicorns, mythical creatures, and Knights of Old figurines. A treasure trove for children of all ages.
Functions & Venue Hire
Create your own celebration in our beautiful Gallery: birthday parties, medieval banquets, Steampunk dinners, and more. Up to 23 people can be seated at the banquet table, with a charming library for 8 people.
BYO food and beverages. Contact Ron or Pixi for enquiries.
Storytelling
Held in the magical Merlin’s Den, the storyteller (sometimes Merlin himself!) sits upon a grand throne. Listen to magical fairytales at Zena Warrior Princess’s table. Costumes are encouraged, and we have a selection to hire!
Numerology Readings
Readings by Lyn Kersel. "Ever since childhood... I have continued to study and now offer readings to people who are interested to know more about themselves... in their birthdate numbers."
By appointment. Enquiries to Lyn Kersel: 021 299 1956
Art Lessons: Everyone Can Draw!
Can you draw? No? Of course YOU CAN DRAW!
If you can draw a Dot, YOU CAN DRAW. Elizabeth will show you how.
Through humour, encouragement, and gentle guidance she draws out your latent talent. You will be surprised! Learn shading, composition, balance, proportion, and perspective. MOST OF ALL - YOU WILL HAVE FUN!
Lesson 1: Composition, Balance, Proportion and Scale
If you imagine yourself standing outside and looking down at your feet, you will notice that they look large compared to, say, a tree at the end of the paddock. The tree in turn looks large compared to the hills in the distance. This tells you a lot about proportions. A stack of blocks does not topple with the larger block at the base. This exercise involves the placement of lines and curves to make a beautiful, sensual composition. NATURE has no straight lines, so the only time you use a ruler is for the frame (edges) of your drawing.
Lesson 2: Light & Dark
Black and white photography illustrates the phenomenon of light against dark well. It is good to study black and white photos. When our eyes see a dark shape next to a light shape the retina is stimulated and it appears as though the edges are lighter and darker. You can actually create this phenomenon in your drawing, Using your name to make beautiful shapes - divide your page into three sections as explained above, with the largest shapes at the base. In each area, light must be next to dark. This lesson involves the use of shading (six shades of grey). You will practice shading before you start this drawing. Elizabeth will guide you.
Lesson 3: Reflected Light
At Elam Art School, Auckland in 1970, Elizabeth’s class was asked to paint two eggs on a white plate on a white table (in front of them) - fifty times!!! The students were not told any more details. At first, Elizabeth’s eggs looked like two blue flying potatoes. The eggs need to sit on the table, appear as heavy as eggs and the round shape of eggs. However, after much study the students began to understand ‘reflected light’. (Also, look at the reflected light under David’s chin). Painting eggs will be your challenge. Keep your pencil sharp. (These are ping pong balls because there were no eggs available to us - for our drawing lesson on board our cruise ship). Notice the REFLECTED LIGHT here, and the varieties of shades of grey.
Lesson 4: Draw a Face
Observing the head of Michelangelo’s sculpture ‘DAVID’, the students will start at the beginning and draw the proportion lines lightly on the paper…. Gradually a face emerges. Even though this challenge looks difficult, with careful attention to detail along the way, even Beginners will be amazed at what they achieved. Elizabeth taught Drawing for Beginners on nine P&O cruises. Everyone was overwhelmed with what they drew.
Calendar of Art Lessons for 2026
JANUARY 2026
- Sunday 11th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'HOW TO DRAW a DRAGON' (Great FUN for all ages)
- Sunday 25th:- (1pm - 4pm): 'DESIGN HUMOROUS SPLIT-PAGED BOOKS' (Great FUN for all ages)
FEBRUARY 2026
- Saturday 7th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'DRAW YOUR OWN UNIQUE MANDALA'
- Sunday 22nd:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'DRAW A PORTRAIT (A GREEN MAN’S FACE)'
MARCH 2026
- Sunday 8th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'DRAW A TREE OF LIFE'
- Sunday 22nd:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'DRAW A STILL-LIFE: LIGHT AGAINST DARK'
APRIL 2026
- Easter Saturday 4th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'HOW TO DRAW A DRAGON' (Great for 8 to 80yrs)
- Sunday 26th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'CREATE YOUR OWN MANDALA'
MAY 2026
- Sunday 10th:- 12:30pm 'Meet and Greet' (1pm - 4/5pm): 'COMPOSITION (Balance and proportion in your artworks)'
Lessons are $35 per person. Art Materials supplied.
(Children’s Dragon Drawing $35, Siblings $20. Mandala $35, or $40 w/ cork backing)
Bookings Essential
Visit Us
Contact Details
Address
726 Queen Street, Thames 3500, Coromandel Peninsular, New Zealand
Phone
- Elizabeth: 022 350 3043
- Ron: 027 955 2460
- Pixi (Lessons): 022 161 7673