12/06/2026
I am sure my love of colour comes from my parents. After moving to New Zealand from Germany, my volcanologist father and seamstress mother designed our family home, filling it with colourful handmade treasures, carved folk art furniture, bright orange daisy curtains, and keepsakes from their travels.
As a child, I loved making things and playing “shops.” I painted stones from the beach and sold them from a little roadside stall. I still remember the excitement of making my very first sale!
The idea for my business began during a trip through Europe with my husband before we were married. In a tiny shop tucked away in a Venice alley, I discovered beautiful prints on all kinds of products. Sitting under a tree at our campground, I sketched ideas and dreamed of creating something similar. I still have those drawings today.
These days, my creative tools include my Apple Mac, a Singer sewing machine, and a cutting machine. While I originally hand cut all my designs, I now combine traditional techniques with digital design to create colourful, balanced artworks.
Apart from earning a Diploma with Distinction in Design, my proudest achievement is opening ELLEN G in 2016. After many years as a freelance illustrator, it was a dream come true. Building the business has taken persistence, creativity, and a willingness to learn from set backs.
My favourite word is JOY. For me, joy is found in simple things: my morning coffee, spotting one of our wonderful a native birds, discovering gloriously unexpected colour combinations, and meeting lovely visitors in my store (can you believe that in 10 years I haven't had a single bad experience!). I’ve never been afraid to wear colour as it simply makes me feel good and at this stage of life, I’m perfectly happy not following fleeting trends!
