When Shortland Street actress Amanda Billing went through a period of personal crisis, she never imagined she would discover a new passion.
Suffering depression last year, the 37-year-old found an artistic side for creating jewellery and T-shirt designs.
“It was like the light went out [inside me] and I had to scramble around the room trying to find the thing that can turn it back on. “Depression can lead to a profound disconnect. Anything that can connect yourself to the parts of you that are innocent and playful, no matter what that might be, is a good thing.”
Amanda decided to embark on her own project, involving 100 days of positive action, doing something creative every day for more than three months.
The actress ended up designing a T-shirt titled, “Ngãti Ãti Whaati” (a play on the Maori word ngati/tribe and arty farty), and also a “Carrie Bradshaw-style” necklace with the Maori proverb “Aroha mai, Aroha atu”, meaning “Love is
received and love is given”.
Shortland Street, TV2, weeknights 7pm
“At the time when I came across that proverb, I was trying to focus on what was good in life as much as I possibly could,” she explains.
“I was really aware that focusing on anything else was not going to improve the quality of my life very much,” says Amanda.
Working under the name maidenlovecreative, the Shorty star of nearly a decade is now selling her work at Auckland art and design store, The Poi Room.
And although she has no Maori heritage, her on-screen character Dr Sarah Potts’ experiences in a multicultural relationship, and as mother to a Pakeha/Maori daughter, Tillie, have awakened Amanda’s desire to become bilingual.
Amanda is hoping Kiwis take an interest in te reo beyond Maori Language week.
The former geography and social studies teacher says it’s a desire to educate that is driving her forward.
“I’m still a teacher in myheart,” she says.
