Luciana Orr has followed a career in the arts since 1985 which began with sketches of the villas around Auckland where she grew up. She specialises in illustrating heritage architecture and has illustrated many buildings throughout Canterbury and New Zealand.

Luciana works from her home studio in Christchurch and tutors art privately. Her early training in graphic design and self taught technical drawing skills, have allowed her to produce artworks for commercial niche markets and private collections.

"Heritage architecture has always held great value for me. If my artwork can reflect to others the beauty and skillful craftsmanship I see in these buildings, then we may yet retain and breathe new life into these treasures."

"I have great respect for the massive restoration projects to which many people so lovingly committed their energies. It is rewarding when my illustrations are commissioned as historic records and used in projects to save endangered historic buildings from demolition."

As 'Artist in Residence' at the Christchurch Arts Centre in 2003 she completed a body of work based on the institute's gothic revival architecture. This experience catalysed a refinement of her style. The addition of a 35mm camera with a wide lens has enabled her to explore and construct images from obscure angles.

In November 2005 she graduated with a Certificate in Audio Engineering and Music Production, which she gained to expand her capacity to produce multimedia installations and other creative projects.

She has just published a resource book 'Elevation: Christchurch Heritage Architecture Illustrated'. This is available from Scorpio Books in Christchurch or by ordering from this site.