Mossy Morag is an original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, celebrating the gentle spirit and grounded beauty of the Highland cow, entwined with the richness of New Zealand’s native forests. With her warm russet coat and steady gaze, Morag carries the quiet strength of her Highland heritage while becoming part of the living landscape of Aotearoa.
Her deep brown eyes meet the viewer with calm assurance, reflecting a patience that feels timeless. Across her tousled fringe, soft mosses and fresh green leaves rest as if gathered from the damp, shaded forest floor — a crown shaped by nature itself. Each brushstroke brings together the familiar shaggy texture of her coat with the layered detail of forest growth, creating a seamless connection between animal and earth.
The surrounding greenery deepens the sense of harmony, drawing us into a world where the forest and its creatures belong to one another. Morag seems to carry the wild places with her — a reminder of resilience, connection, and the quiet magic woven through New Zealand’s native bush.
Balancing realism with a touch of forest enchantment, Mossy Morag is more than a likeness; it is a celebration of nature’s strength and beauty embodied in the living spirit of the Highland cow — earthy, rooted, and deeply soulful.
Original Board Size: 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame: 655mm x 950mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed: 2025
Moss & Bone by Ashleigh Ritchie is a painted portrait of a deer, its antlers adorned with moss and delicate ferns, a symbol of the quiet majesty of New Zealand’s native forests. Its soft, watchful eyes hold a gentle curiosity, inviting the viewer into a serene and almost mystical woodland moment.
Every detail — from the textured fur to the intricate moss and curling fern fronds — is rendered with careful, deliberate attention, bringing the tactile beauty of the forest into the composition. The earthy palette of greens, browns, and soft golden light evokes the lush, shaded world of Aotearoa’s bush, where every leaf and tendril contributes to a sense of depth, life, and natural harmony.
Rather than a posed scene, the deer feels alive and present, a quiet witness to the stillness of the forest. Moss & Bonecelebrates the delicate balance of wildlife and nature, capturing the wonder of New Zealand’s moss- and fern-filled landscapes and the serene grace of the creatures that inhabit them.
Painted by Ashleigh Ritchie, this work is a tribute to the gentle magic of New Zealand’s bush and its quiet, watchful inhabitants.
Original Board Size: 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame: 650mm x 945mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed: 2025
Noble is an intimate original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, celebrating the quiet strength and gentle heart of her loyal black Labrador–Springer Spaniel cross, Zeus. At ten years old, Zeus carries himself with a noble presence — the kind that only comes from years of companionship, shared adventures, and steadfast love.
Emerging from a frame of soft, green leaves, his deep brown eyes meet the viewer with a calm, unwavering gaze. There’s a story in those eyes — of muddy walks, sunny afternoons, and countless moments where no words were needed to feel understood. His sleek black coat, touched with silver-grey wisps, is painted with delicate, layered brushstrokes, each one capturing the play of light across the curves of his face and the familiar texture of his fur.
The surrounding foliage adds a sense of intimacy and stillness, as though we’ve caught him in a quiet moment of watchfulness, yet his presence radiates warmth. The composition draws you in, inviting you to pause and see not just a dog, but a lifelong friend — a guardian, a confidant, and a soul with as much depth as any human portrait.
Balancing realism with tenderness, Zeus is more than a likeness; it’s a love letter to the enduring bond between a dog and their human — steadfast, timeless, and irreplaceable.
Original Board Size: 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame: 650mm x 945mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed: 2024
Curious is an intimate original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, inspired by her son, Luke. His soft blonde hair is framed by a tangle of lush green leaves, set against a moody dark blue background that deepens the sense of intrigue.
Luke’s gaze is steady and full of wonder — the kind that makes you feel just as curious as he is, as though he’s about to ask a million questions. Each brushstroke captures both the innocence of childhood and the boundless imagination that fuels it.
Gentle layers of colour bring warmth to his skin, while the surrounding foliage creates a quiet connection to nature. The composition invites the viewer to pause, step into his world, and share in that spark of discovery.
Balancing softness with vibrancy, Curious lingers in the mind — a portrait of curiosity itself: fleeting, timeless, and deeply human.
Original Board Size - 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame - 650mm x 945mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed - 2024
Toffee & Her Autumn Crown is an original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, capturing the bright charm and playful elegance of a young Cocker Spaniel. Toffee, with her soft golden coat and curious gaze, wears a crown woven from the colours of autumn — burnt orange leaves, deep red petals, and clusters of ochre berries, each one painted with patient, deliberate care.
Her eyes, dark and glistening, hold both innocence and a spark of mischief, as though she’s moments away from bounding into a game or curling up in your lap. The fine strands of her long ears flow gently into the green backdrop, creating a sense of depth that frames her face like the final light of a crisp autumn afternoon.
Rather than a formal pose, Toffee’s slight head tilt invites you into her world — one of rustling leaves, cool breezes, and the simple joy of being outdoors. The composition feels alive, yet intimate, honouring both her youthful spirit and the fleeting beauty of the season she wears so proudly.
A portrait of joy, nature, and companionship, Toffee & Her Autumn Crown is as much about the moment as the muse — a celebration of the way animals make ordinary days feel golden.
Original Board Size: 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame: 650mm x 945mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed: 2024
Flora & Freckles captures the bright charm and playful elegance of a young girl adorned with a crown of blooms. Her wide, curious eyes glimmer with both innocence and mischief, hinting at the joy and wonder of childhood.
The floral crown, painted with rich autumnal tones and delicate detail, frames her face like the gentle light of a crisp afternoon, drawing you into her world of imagination and discovery. Every petal and leaf is rendered with careful, deliberate care, enhancing the sense of depth and life in the composition.
Rather than a formal pose, her subtle smile and lively gaze invite connection — a moment of joy frozen in time, celebrating the whimsical spirit of youth and the natural beauty surrounding her.
A portrait of charm, nature, and warmth, Flora & Freckles is as much about the feeling it evokes as the subject herself — a celebration of lighthearted moments and the beauty of everyday wonder.
Original Board Size: 600mm x 900mm
With Black Pine Frame: 650mm x 945mm
Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on a prepared wood panel. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty and depth of colour.
Completed: 2025
