Home | Blue Bathtub Press

A labour of love, by print artist Toni Mosley

The Blue Bathtub Story...

Blue Bathtub Press started in approx 2012. It started when the tub was found in what is known as inorganic (or hard rubbish) on the side of the road here in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). I wish I could l tell you that the bathtub was the antique footed variety but the true blue bathtub is a made from molded plastic.

Hello, I'm Toni

My works depict the lighter side of the encounters from our everyday experiences. I use symbols, composition, and subtle colours to express my quirky imagery. I am a traditional printmaker. The use of hand tinting has historical reference and in my contemporary art allows each print to have an individual feel and me to play with the idea of original multiple.

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lets work together

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Classes

Classes are not just at Blue Bathtub Press. Toni teaches and runs courses in different locations.

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The Studio

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Want to come and make a print? Coming up this weekend POP UP Printmaking. Sat March 15 10-12 @farmhousecafe.nz This is part of @clevedonarttrail This is free and for all ages 🌟. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. #clevedonarttrail #clevedon_nz
#tonimosleyart #bluebathtubpress #popupprintmaking #loveofprintmaking #popupprints #communityprintmaking

‘Pop-Up Printmaking’

Please come and join me to make your own monotype print to take home as part of the @clevedonarttrail
**This is for all ages 🎉

Sat March 15th from 10-12
@farmhousecafe.nz
400 Papakura-Clevedon Road

Remember to make sure to check out all the weekend events that are part of the Clevedon Art Trail - you can pick up a map or even access it online at. https://clevedonarttrail.co.nz

#clevedonarttrail #clevedon_nz
#tonimosleyart #bluebathtubpress #popupprintmaking #loveofprintmaking #popupprints #communityprintmaking

Such a fun floating ink/ marbling workshop @aucklandbotanicgardens
Thank you to the students for attending and bringing their sense of adventure with them.
#sumingashi #floatingink #marblingart
#aucklandbotanicgardens
#bluebathtubpressworkshop
#sumingashinewzealand

So excited to start off my year with one of my pieces chosen for the 2025 NZPPA

There are a few events beyond the opening — such as Judge’s floor talks on Sat Feb 22 at 10:30am also there will be other artists talks happening @artspostnz Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

Big Congratulations to all the other artists. Looking forward to seeing your works 😊
For full list of artists and information:
https://wsa.org.nz/product/2025-nzppa

#nzppa #printmakingnz

Swipe for a sneak peak of some detail in the work chosen….

Such a wonderful workshop teaching kids how to make a Forest Accordian Book. We used multiple art materials to create our forests. Spending a morning working with these young creative minds always fills my soul. Ngā mihi nui 🌱🌞 #kidsbotanicart #accordianbook #nzkidsart #tonimosleyartworkshop #bluebathtubpress

Had to repost —
Meta pulled this down as said my photos were overwhelming my audience 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️
What?
So this post comes with a warning that beautiful bright artwork might be too much if so please scroll on by…😉

Wanted to share these sunny bright sunflower variations from my drop in workshop @aucklandbotanicgardens . Hope this brings a little sunshine to you wherever you are. Met some amazing kids and always feel so fortunate to support their very creative brains at work…just so you know in these images there is a famous football/ soccer player as a flower, a person that forgot to wear sunscreen in the garden and see it you can find the sun + flower = sunflower 🌻

#aucklandbotanicgardens #kidsartnz #sunflowers

This is PART TWO
Showing outcomes from Layer by Layer: Collage & Screenprint
Summer school @browne.school

Plus on the last day we had the lovely Lucky to keep us company. Every studio should have a support dog

Thanks to all the students for being so open to trying new things and expanding what they can do with print!

Beautiful inks by @permaset_aqua

#screenprinting #tonimosleyartworkshop #bluebathtubpress #screenprintingauckland

This is PART ONE
Showing process- Printing and stencils

Great using the @permaset_aqua inks. The colours are bright and the ink is smooth.

Such a fabulous summer school session @browne.school

The course title is Layer by Layer: Printmaking & Collage

#screenprinting #tonimosleyartworkshop #bluebathtubpress #screenprintingauckland

I have been a bit slow on posting this.
The joyous side is that I was able to make my families traditional Pizzelles (Italian Lace cookie) and my the favourite part is to share them ❤️
This year my dear friend @nzcharu helped- which we discovered she was a good luck charm— as my first batch was problematic and created more tears then cookies…sigh.
So the second batch was great and only 4hours!🎉

So in this post I hope everyone finds a bit of joy during this time (with others or within yourself).

But it is important to acknowledge holidays are not always joyful and come with sadness/ grief for many.

For me making the Pizzelles was a big step. Last year, I was not able to make them as I was too sad. My dear Auntie who we lost last year at the beginning of Dec and so I really needed to sit quietly while acknowledging her and my dad’s passing.
This year it was nice to celebrate with the pizzelles and all those things she has taught me. This last year has been one of my busiest and hardest to work through.

So to close the year by sharing family traditions, finding quiet moments to grieve, and making sure to find laughter in between has been healthy.

“And once the storm is over you won’t remember you how made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm’s all about.”
~Haruki Murakami, -Kafka on the Shore-

What a brilliant morning of pop up printing yesterday @aucklandbotanicgardens
For the opening weekend of @sculptureinthegardens .

The morning rain prevented up from being outside but what a buzz in the main building live music, faceprinting and soo many people coming through!

Doing my Pop-Up Printing is one of my favourite projects and really I LOVE it! The people I get to engage with and the magic when their print is revealed 🎉
So a BIG Ngā mihi nui to everyone that joined us today 🤩

Did not get a photo but a shout out to @paulforrest8711 is one of the artists that is a part of the Sculpture in the gardens. Great to have you join us and play with another medium. 🦋

I also want to make sure my fantabulous assistant @nzcharu gets recognition ❤️🌟 So thankful to have an extra person really helped it run smoothly and besides always fun to get time with you.

#popupprintmaking #sculptureinthegardens #aucklandbotanicgardens #OurAKL #printmakingnz #auckland #bluebathtubpress

Need something fun to do on Sunday Nov 17th?
Come celebrate the opening of @sculptureinthegardens at @aucklandbotanicgardens

With Pop Up printmaking- What’s that you ask?

Come make your own monotype print to take home🎉
This is for all ages😊

We will be there from 10-12 on Sunday Nov 17th in the Glade Shelter.

**Also a big Thank you to @Nathan.homestead for loaning us the press to use. Love being a part of a community that supports eachother🌟

#popupprintmaking #sculptureinthegardens #aucklandbotanicgardens #OurAKL #printmakingnz #auckland #bluebathtubpress

Anyone else loves those moments when you can stop and breath… been on a little letterpress kick.
So set some type to make a little print to celebrate a young couples commitment to each other ❤️. But Bet I will make more then one as this quote is a goody for friends and family. Let’s help each other grow for the better 🌿🌱🪴. #letterpressnz #thegiftofletterpress

**Yep I noticed a few funny letters that need to be replaced before printing…maybe this will be my new pre-proofing tool 😉. Sometimes technology helps us analogue-rs work smarter not harder 🤷‍♀️

Just a little sneak peek at one of my pieces in #sundaygirl pop up exhibition. Just because I love a silly pun first image should say… ‘ Here’s to riding into the weekend’ 😉 Or ‘ ride on over to Corbans to see some art’ 🤭. Hope you can come and see the show and if not, have a good weekend.
#mixedmediacollage #nzcontemporaryart #aucklandart

This weekend is ‘Sunday Girl’ curated by @ideasbhaidesign this is @corbanestate The opening is on Friday 6pm and you can view the works Sat and Sunday 11-6. If you want to see my new work and what I have been working on this weekend is your chance…. might give a few teasers later this week 😉The new work is about breathing life into old photos to create new narratives.
#sundaygirl #contemporarynzart #mixedmediaprintmaking #aucklandart

What a beautiful destall of ‘Sponge City’ @depotartspace This exhibition has been one of art and life colliding. With the show being about flooding within our communities to the venue having its own flood 2 weeks into the show. Being able to continue the exhibition even with the unexpected deluge that affected not only the exhibition but the whole facility. Is a wonderful example of resilience and community support. Ngā mihi nui to Terehia for the closing Karakia it was beautiful as well as so poignant in the removal of the works. To all the artists of the Hard Pressed Collective, it has been wonderful working with you all. @celiawalkerprint @tonihartillart @inaarraoui @kheangov @pebblezscott @dismallfieldart @judygordonworks @esther.hansen.737 @bburnett2000 #spongecity #contemporarynzart #depotartspace #nzartists

Exhibition ‘Shelf Life’ @aucklandbotanicgardens

The artists are :
Leigh Tawharu @tommyleighbones
Sarah Walker-Holt @sarahwalkerholt
Gabrielle Belz
Ina Arraoui. @inaarraoui
Toni Hartill @tonihartillart
Lina Castro @lin.island.creative
Rachel Schanzer @rsschanzer
Elle Anderson @towhenuaart
Holly Roach @hollyroachart
Toni Mosley @tonimosleyart

This exhibition runs from Aug 18- Oct 1 2024 and has a variety of artists and mediums.

#plantsinartwork #contemporarynzart #plantsinartwork #aucklandbotanicgardens

Just want to announce that if you have not seen ‘Sponge city’ @depotartspace best to get in this week to see it.
This exhibition includes artwork by @celiawalkerprint @tonihartillart @inaarraoui @kheangov @pebblezscott @dismallfieldart @judygordonworks @esther.hansen.737 @bburnett2000 #spongecity #contemporarynzart #environmentalartinstallation #aucklandart

We are into our last week of ‘Pay&Display’ in The Expanded Field of Print exhibition @northartnz
😊

If you can get in bring two $1 coins and you can get a lucky dip print from the #pay&display vending machine.

The best part about this is 100% proceeds goes to @giveakidablanket
So know that your support goes back into our community ❤️
The machine is stocked and ready.

Last day is Sat Sept 14th

#giveakidablanketnz #artistssupportingartists #supportnzartprojects
#nzartists #artistssupportingcharity
#bluebathtubpress #vendingmachineart
#nzprintmaking #nzartist #printmakersnz #pcanzselectedexhibition2024

What a wonderful Paper marbling workshop and paper bowl making @depotartspace
Such a fun group and really loved seeing you all working together sharing ink, water trays, ideas and the best part laughter!

This workshop was part of the exhibition ‘Sponge City’ on until Sept 28 2024
#marblingworkshopnz #spongecityexhibition #aucklandartworkshop #tonimosleyworkshop #depotartspace

Posted @withregram • @celiawalkerprint It has been a dramatic week - with major flooding affecting (ironically) our Hard-Pressed Collective exhibition Sponge City (about resilience and natural solutions to flood events). The Depot staff have been magnificent in helping get the show back up, and the artists whose work was damaged are accepting the alterations to their pieces as part of the ongoing story of resilience in the face of climate disasters

‘Depot Artspace faced significant damage last weekend when extreme rainfall caused severe flooding throughout the facility. The main gallery wall burst, and Depot Sound recording studios were inundated with water. Due to the damage, the gallery has been closed for several days but will reopened on Thursday.

In a striking coincidence, the current exhibition, Sponge City, which explores the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, including flooding, will continue as scheduled until the end of September. Lead curator and artist Celia Walker remarked that the irony of the situation was undeniable—life had truly imitated art. Walker and the Depot gallery team have re-installed the exhibition, now incorporating damaged works and the video capturing the moment the gallery wall gave way to the floodwaters.

Despite the disruption, Tom Mansell from Auckland City Council proceeded with his planned talk on Thursday evening, adding an unexpected layer of relevance to the discussion.’

The paper-marbling workshop on Friday afternoon will go ahead as planned.

@depotartspace
#hardpressedcollective
@celiawalkerprint
@tonimosleyart
@dismallfieldart
@inaarraoui
@judygordonworks
@pebblezscott
@kheangov
@esther.hansen.737
@bburnett2000
@tonihartillart

#flooding #printmaking #installationart #spongecity

I want to announce the exhibition ‘Shelf Life’ @aucklandbotanicgardens The artists are :
Leigh Tawharu @tommyleighbones
Sarah Walker-Holt @sarahwalkerholt
Gabrielle Belz
Ina Arraoui @inaaaoui
Toni Hartill @tonihartillart
Lina Castro @lin.island.creative
Rachel Schanzer @rsschanzer
Elle Anderson @towhenuaart
Holly Roach @hollyroachart
Toni Mosley @tonimosleyart

This exhibition runs from Aug 18- Oct 1 2024 and has a variety of artists and mediums.

#plantsinart #nzartists #contemporarynzart #plantsinartwork

So I was involved in this project that I feel a bit strange/ embarrassed to talk about, because I don’t often talk about myself.

I realised I need to talk about this project because I want to lift up and share with you all the other amazing Wahine/ Women involved.

These Wahine are INCREDIBLE and so to be included is beyond humbling ( I will be honest- when they first asked me to be involved I told them I know some other folks I felt more deserving of recognition).
This project “Tales of our Wahine” can be seen @botanytowncentre outside the H&M. This is up until the End of Sept so please go and learn more about each of them.

Each Wahine is shown with a portrait and words.
It is an honour to sit beside them in this exhibition.
Carla Ruka @carlaruka Adele White Cecilia Ma Taini Drummond
Hope Milo @hopefmilo Yongrahn Park Claudia Robin Gunn @claudiarobingunn
Katie-Rose Ruana Pemberton @_katie_rose_ Dr. Fahima Saied

So for a start I want to Thank @artsouteast and the other 2 amazing folks a part of this is the photographer Bel Butler @polished_metal_pro and the writer Natasha Bidesi @natashabidesi
It was lovely to be meet them both, and then experience them capturing me in in their own mediums. Thank you Bel for the photos (even if I found it extremely uncomfortable and hard to sit still in that seat) you presented me in a way I don’t often see myself.
Natasha your words really captured me to the point that folks that know me have commented to me that your write up of me was spot on.

It is always strange to hear, see, read how others perceive us. Ngā mihi for showing me and sharing me in a way I often don’t think of myself.

This exhibition maybe about this group of Wahine, but I will encourage you to celebrate the Wahine in your own life and how they make the world a better place by being in it.

Tell them and lift them up❤️

This is an @artsouteast Project that is supported by @tetuhiart @botanytowncentre and the Howick local board. Music is by Hope Milo

#talesofourwahine #celebratewahine #liftupthewomenaroundyou

The Pay&Display vending machine is stocked for the week @northartnz ‘The Expanded Field of Print’ exhibition is organised by @printcouncilnz .
100% if the proceeds goes to @giveakidablanketnz
So bring two $1 coins and grab a lucky dip of a print and support an amazing charity. This Sat Aug 31st at 2pm is an artist talk and I will be one of the artists at this event.
Northart is open Tues-Sat 11-4

#giveakidablanketnz #artistssupportingartists #supportnzartprojects
#nzartists #artistssupportingcharity
#bluebathtubpress #vendingmachineart #pay&display
#nzprintmaking #nzartist #printmakersnz #pcanzselectedexhibition2024

‘Sponge City’ featuring the works of Hard-Pressed Collective at @depotartspace There are some great events and workshops coming up. I know the workshops are filling up fast. Swipe to see the workshops. #spongecity #hardpressedcollectivenz #printmakingnz #nzartists #depotartspace

Install has begun!
Because I have multiple shows / events happening….I am getting a bit silly. Swipe to see my goofy video but totally true it took 5 people to put up 2 large pieces of paper! 🤷‍♀️ Just in case someone asks —-it took 3 to hold , adjust and hang in place and 2 to help make sure it looked good from the ground.
Installing is a team sport 🙌 ……………………………………..………………………………………This exhibition is ‘Sponge City’ featuring the works of Hard-Pressed Collective at @depotartspace , 28 Clarence St, Devonport Saturday 17th August, 2pm - 4pm

This exhibition includes artwork by Celia Walker, Toni Hartill, Toni Mosley, Ina Arraoui, Kheang Ov, Nicola Ov, Di Smallfield, Jude Gordon, Esther Hansen and Bridget Burnett. #nzartinstallation #bigpaperartwork #artisateamsport #contemporarynzart #thedepotartspace

Posted @withregram • @depotartspace Coming to DEPOT Artspace on 17 August, ‘Sponge City’ is a printmaking exhibition featuring the works of Hard-Pressed Collective.

This exhibition includes artworks by Celia Walker, Toni Hartill, Toni Mosley, Ina Arraoui, Kheang Ov, Nicola Ov, Di Smallfield, Jude Gordon, Esther Hansen and Bridget Burnett.

Please join us on Saturday 17 August, 2-4pm for the exhibition opening. This will be a great opportunity to meet our exhibiting artists and enjoy some lovely refreshments courtesy of our hospitality partners Toi Toi Wines and Chateaubriant. We look forward to seeing you there!

We’re also delighted to be hosting several FREE workshops and events throughout August and September in support of ‘Sponge City’:

- Sustainable Outcomes Presentation: Thursday 22 August, 6pm
- Curator’s Tour: Friday 23 August, 11am
- Cyanotype Print Workshop: Saturday 24 August, 2-4pm
- Paper Marbling Workshop: Friday 6 September, 12:30-2:30pm
- Tetra Pak Printmaking: Saturday 14 September, 2-4pm

Check out the link 🔗 in bio for more info about the exhibition and to register your spot in one of our workshops!

Image Credit: ‘To Hold’ – Toni Mosley and Hard-Pressed Collective

@celiawalkerprint
@dismallfieldart
@inaarraoui
@bburnett2000
@judygordonworks
@tonihartillart
@pebblezscott
@kheangov
@tonimosleyart
@esther.hansen.737

@creativenz
@toitoiwines
@chateaubriant

So my San Francisco surprise stop over included a few very special outings.

First to see one of my oldest friends @maltymaven at her business @thegoodhop She was bartending and working that day. We had a very overdue catch up from across the bar.
Loved her company and the beer was super good too!
So if you find yourself in Oakland and a lover of the hops definitely worth a stop. While there I got to chat with other patrons and what a wonderful place and community Melissa you have created there. If I did not need to get back to NZ and the airport I would have stayed there all day

Next I got to see a print exhibition I was super excited to see. It had just opened last week so feel super fortunate. The exhibition was of Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. @kennedyprints CITIZEN PRINTER at the @letterformarchive
And Wow! He is one of my print Heros so to get to see this was very powerful and as my time was limited I bought the book (they even had a few signed copies). So now I can revisit the prints and have a good reminder to keep creating/ fighting for the world I believe in. Thanks to Letterform Archive and Amos for the inspiration. The exhibition is on until Jan 2025 so catch it if you can, Spectacular!

Then at airport met a few NZ folks that had an overnight stay from the flight. They had just been at the Unicycle World Championship in Minnesota. Thanks to Tony and Ken for the awesome insight into something I never knew existed!

My unexpected stopover was pretty fantastic

1-3 The Good Hop
4- a tree
5-9 Exhibition
10- My new book CITIZEN PRINTER

#thegoodhop #seeingoldfriends
#letterformarchive #CitizenPrinter #AmosPaulKennedyJr #letterpressprinting #typography

So my journey home has not gone quite to plan…this was at the airport in Denver…made it to San Francisco and will see what the day brings until I head back to the airport…
Put your seats in the upright position and buckle up to see where I end up today 😉

This visit to Colorado has included helping finding resting places appropriate for family that have left us physically long ago.
I put lots of thought into this and found a place appropriate and Grandma loved. Enjoy the view Grandma and Great Uncle Mike ❤️ where your ills are no more.

“Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.”
~ Helen Keller

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