Paula Novak principally works as a commissioned artist, although she continues to develop her own creations which range across several genres, and have been exhibited at galleries across the country.

While her extraordinary attention to detail and accuracy of form and setting means she is the perfect choice for portrait work this is not always limited to the standard head and shoulders pose. She can place any subject in a setting of choice, even if it involves some element of fantasy. As well as creating lifelike family and individual portraits based on research and photographs she is often called on to ‘personalise’ portraits of adults or children, and include pets.

Paula was a finalist in the Wallace Trust Portrait Gallery competition in 2004 with a stunningly lifelike portrait of film director Peter Jackson surrounded by secondary images from his films. That year her super-sized portrait of Waitakere Trust chairman Ross Dallow, with the Waitakere Stadium in the background, was unveiled at the opening of the new stadium by Prime Minister Helen Clark.

During 2005 Paula was commissioned to create a montage for Kings College which was auctioned during its annual art exhibition. During the year she completed a number of floral works along with photorealistic portraits of several families including one with 10 people in it, built up from photographs, including those submitted by family members who were overseas at the time.

In recent years Paula completed a series of panels for a central Auckland beauty clinic, 12 fairies for the Hallmark 2003 calendar, a 40 panel outdoor nativity mural for Kiwi Valley in Henderson and depicted in canvas the latest designs of Roisin Dubh’s fashion boutique to help promote her 2003 and 2004 range to the world.

2001-3: Paula Novak moves from new Plymouth to the bush in Tiritangi where she expands her subject options. She creates the Nikau Maiden and a range of paintings which morph the human form into native plants and trees. She takes on book illustrations, CD cover designs and finds a lucrative outlet painting children and adults in fantasy situations that range from children as fairies or warriors, often alongside pet dragons, a lion or unicorn. Adults were interested as well, a business woman has herself painted morphing into a leopard on the African Savannah and a business man had himself painted at his desk surrounded by images depicting his mission statements.

1998: The Five Elements series of paintings. Solo and group exhibitions
1985: The Narnia Series of paintings. Solo and group exhibitions
1980: First solo exhibition
1975: Freelance artist, commissioned portraits and group exhibitions.
1970-1975: Commercial artist Auckland Star, Milne & Choice
Pre-1970: Paula is largely self-taught. Top marks for art at high school, winner of several national art competitions, much sought after to paint personal portraits.

Galleries / Exhibitions: (2001 – 2005)
Kings College Art Exhibition November 2005
Signal Gallery Swanson, Floribunda, June-July 2005
Clelands Fine Arts, Whangarei, selected works
Parua Bay Galley, selected works 2005
Helena Bay Gallery, Northland, selected works 2004-2005

The Art Boutique, Tauranga, selected works 2005
Frame by Frame, Remuera
The Hardware Café, Titirangi (Selected works, Dec-Jan 2002-2003)
The Packing Shed, Henderson (2002)
Art of this World, Devonport

Pre-2000
Troubadour, New Plymouth, Art Gallery New Plymouth
The Venue, New Plymouth, Crafty Fox, Oakura,
Wayne’s Gallery, New Plymouth, Coachman Gallery, New Plymouth
Medici Gallery Wellington, Thornton Gallery Hamilton,
Downtown Gallery Auckland,

Paula Novak (Istra) has also illustrated:
Hallmark 2003 Fairy Calendar (12 illustrations)
Nativity scene (30 panels) at Kiwi Valley theme park
Five panels for Power Rangers movie backdrop (Studio West)
Five Panel for Face Place botox clinic Auckland

Fantasy creation for Roisin Dubh fashion house (x2)
CD cover Cleaning out the Garage – Keith Newman & Friends
CD cover – Aolia - Katherine Mowbray
Novak Collection, New Zealand calendar
Tales of Taranaki, illustrations for the book
Legends of Ancient Greece, McMillan Publishers
Tree Frogs (illustrations) Shortland Publications
What Can This Seed Be, McMillan Publications
Go Annie Go, Learning Media
The Family Album – Sunshine Books (2003)

Paul Novak (Istra) can be contacted directly on 09) 817-7799
or by writing to her c/- 30 Sylvan Valley Ave, Titirangi, Auckland