Kell Sunshine is a muralist, lettering artist, and illustrator from the East Coast of Aotearoa/New Zealand. She is deeply inspired by the interconnectedness of all living beings, and her work is a celebration of this bond. Kell’s distinctive creative style features vibrant, retro-inspired colour palettes and flowing, curvaceous forms. Her murals often center around soil-sorceress protagonists; characters that embody the earth’s wisdom and magic. The underlying themes of her murals and illustrations highlight ecological awareness, with the aim of inspiring viewers to share her reverence for the natural world.
A passionate traveller, Kell finds great joy in creating work not just across New Zealand but around the globe. Her adventures are fueled by a love for the ocean and the environments she encounters, drawing inspiration from each unique place.
With 16 years of experience in the industry, Kell has built an impressive portfolio that spans a wide range of creative projects. From album covers and tarot card design to gig posters, wedding commissions, and even beer labels, her versatility knows no bounds. She’s had the privilege of collaborating with over 250 clients and painting 50+ murals across New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, Greece, and Indonesia.
Kell’s career highlights include curating the 2017 Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans activation in Tairāwhiti (NZ) where she brought together 24 international artists to raise awareness for ocean conservation. She has also shared her expertise at conferences such as Typism on the Gold Coast (2018), Around the Table podcast (2024), and in 2022, she attended a residency in Crete, Greece, where she painted a mural in Heraklion. Kell is also one of five directing members of The League of Live Illustrators.