Brushstrokes of change, a journey into public art

Artists in the media, from North & South magazine

When Jasmine Krouze first picked up a paintbrush to create textile prints for fashion brand Nyne, little did she know it would spark a whole new creative direction.

After 13 years in the fashion industry, including stints at Pumpkin Patch and a year immersed in Amsterdam’s adventurous fashion scene, Jasmine transitioned from textile designer to celebrated muralist and painter.

“Working with paint to create textile prints ignited something in me,” she recalls. Creating a textile print for Nyne using paint and exploring various markmaking techniques “reminiscent of Rorschach ink blots’, Jasmine discovered a newfound fascination with the medium. This spark of inspiration coincided with an opportunity from Creative Bay of Plenty, who were seeking local artists to paint a collection of murals. Despite never having painted a mural before, her experience designing 1.5-metre wide fabric prints gave her the confidence to tackle a 6-metre wide wall.

That first mural project, sponsored by Resene, opened up a whole new world. “I was immediately taken with the heavy body and opaqueness of Resene paints,” she says. “The colour range is outstanding, and they last incredibly well – my first mural is now 6 years old and still looks great.”

The transition from textiles to large-scale public art wasn’t without its challenges. “I was really honest with the team that I’d never painted a mural before,” Jasmine admits. “But local artists Shane Walker and Alex McLeod took me under their wing and gave me some great advice.” That supportive community spirit has remained a hallmark of her mural work.

Now an established muralist, Jasmine Kroeze still draws on her textile design background. Her process always begins manually, usually in one of her many sketchbooks. “My sketchbook practice is key to nurturing my creativity,” she says. “The freedom to play and mess around is like exercise for my artistic practice.”

This playful approach extends to her YouTube channel, where she documents her experiments with new mediums and mark-making techniques. It’s all part of finding the balance between personal expression and commercial appeal. “As soon as I feel myself getting stuck creatively, I know I need to get back into painting or sketching something just for fun,” she says.

When it comes to large-scale murals, Jasmine has honed her techniques over the years. “With any acrylic paint, there’s always a little colour shift from wet to dry,” she notes. “This used to stress me out, but now I have so much confidence in Resene products, I just trust the process.”

For tricky interior murals requiring clean lines, she’s developed a clever technique. “I paint the original wall colour on the tape first, then the actual paint colour I want over top,” she explains. “The finish on the lines is so slick.”

Looking back on her journey from textile designer to muralist, she is grateful for the unexpected turns her career has taken. “Once I had a taste for public art, the interaction with the community and largescale painting, I was hooked,” she says.

Her advice for aspiring artists? “Don’t be afraid to try new things and be honest about your experience level,” she says. “The creative community is incredibly supportive – there’s always someone willing to share advice or lend a hand.”

Today, Jasmine Kroeze’s artistic practice seamlessly blends her background in textile design with her passion for painting. Her work spans various mediums, from large-scale murals to original paintings and digital artworks. As for what’s next, Jasmine is excited to keep pushing her artistic boundaries. With her playful approach and willingness to experiment, follow her social media to see more from this versatile creative.

Colours used by Jasmine