Living in beautiful Taranaki I can’t get over how much the Maunga (mountain) has affected me in all the years I have lived here, and still does! Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki) is situated in the heart of Taranaki province and is a magnet that will always attract people, and, whether you’re a local or a tourist, it will always make you want to come back if you’ve left.

Originally I called this painting Taranaki, Mother of our Future but I felt that Mountain Goddess was more appropriate. It was also pointed out to me that according to Māori legend, Taranaki was a male (and therefore couldn’t be called mother). I wanted to portray Taranaki through the elements: fire, air, water, and earth, with the Goddess of All That Is in all names and forms looking over it, portrayed by the sun.

This painting comes with copper metal frame.