Pests | Day 4 | 30 Day Challenge

$120.00
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Pests is an original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, created for Day 4 of the Rangiora Art Society’s annual 30-day challenge. Each day in June, artists are given a theme to inspire new work — and for this piece, Ashleigh painted a striking portrait of a rabbit, turning an everyday “pest” into a subject of quiet beauty and depth.

The rabbit’s eye is rendered with careful realism, glistening with life and presence, while the surrounding brushstrokes dissolve into a moody, abstract navy background. This contrast draws the viewer in, balancing softness and intensity, and giving the humble creature an unexpected sense of dignity and intrigue.

The original artwork has now sold, but limited edition fine art prints remain available. Each print is signed and dated by the artist, produced on archival ILFORD Galerie textured cotton rag 310gsm paper to ensure lasting quality and depth of colour.

Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on fine art paper. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty, richness of colour, and depth of detail.

Size – A4 - 210 x 297 mm

Signed & Dated - Ashleigh Ritchie

Pests is an original oil painting by Ashleigh Ritchie, created for Day 4 of the Rangiora Art Society’s annual 30-day challenge. Each day in June, artists are given a theme to inspire new work — and for this piece, Ashleigh painted a striking portrait of a rabbit, turning an everyday “pest” into a subject of quiet beauty and depth.

The rabbit’s eye is rendered with careful realism, glistening with life and presence, while the surrounding brushstrokes dissolve into a moody, abstract navy background. This contrast draws the viewer in, balancing softness and intensity, and giving the humble creature an unexpected sense of dignity and intrigue.

The original artwork has now sold, but limited edition fine art prints remain available. Each print is signed and dated by the artist, produced on archival ILFORD Galerie textured cotton rag 310gsm paper to ensure lasting quality and depth of colour.

Original Painting
Hand-painted and signed by Ashleigh Ritchie, using high-quality, artist-grade oil paints on fine art paper. Each original is crafted with care to ensure lasting beauty, richness of colour, and depth of detail.

Size – A4 - 210 x 297 mm

Signed & Dated - Ashleigh Ritchie

Care Instructions
Your original Ashleigh Ritchie artwork is a one-of-a-kind creation, hand-painted on fine art paper with professional, artist-grade materials. With the right care, it will remain vibrant and beautiful for generations to come.
Please follow these guidelines to help preserve its colour, texture, and the connection it brings to your space.

Handle your artwork with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves whenever possible. Hold only by the edges of the paper to avoid creases, bends, or transferring oils from your skin. Never touch the painted or printed surface directly. If resting the piece temporarily, make sure the surface is clean, dry, and flat.

Works on paper are especially sensitive to light. Display your artwork out of direct sunlight, as UV rays can cause colours to fade and paper to yellow over time. Indirect natural light is best. For additional protection, consider UV-filtering glass or acrylic if framing.

Keep your paper artwork in a space with stable temperature and humidity. Avoid damp or humid environments such as bathrooms or kitchens, as moisture can lead to warping or mould. Similarly, avoid placing the artwork near heaters or air conditioning vents where air fluctuations may damage the paper.

Do not attempt to clean the surface of your artwork with water, sprays, or cloths, as this can damage the paper and pigments. To remove dust, use a clean, soft brush (such as a large artist’s brush) and sweep lightly in one direction. If your artwork requires deeper cleaning, consult a professional paper conservator.

When storing or transporting your artwork, place it between sheets of acid-free tissue or glassine. Support it on a rigid board to prevent bending, and wrap with bubble wrap for cushioning if moving. Store flat in a dry, climate-controlled space, ideally in a protective art portfolio, folder, or archival box.

With thoughtful care, your Ashleigh Ritchie original on paper will continue to bring beauty, colour, and connection into your life — just as it was created to do.