Get the Latest News!

Subscribe to receive studio updates, when a new article is published, notifications for new print releases and the occasional giveaway.
News

Falls Dam Afternoon

December 15, 2021

Falls Dam Afternoon
The last month or so has not really gone to plan. I had expected to be working constantly on the large Falls Dam painting, however we have had one of the wettest spring/start of summer I can remember here in Nelson. You would probably think this would not affect someone shut away in a cosy studio with a hot coffee, but it does. The dark grey days limit the light coming in the studio. Even with very good lighting and colour correct bulbs I am wary mixing the very delicate colours as I am very fussy when working on subtle tones. The clouds in the painting have a huge range of colour from orange to blue, and each tone has to be mixed exactly, and blended perfectly.
So I lately while waiting for the sunshine I have been moving in between working on that painting and this smaller Falls Dam scene (on the rainy dark days) to keep the paint flowing.

Also in News

NZ artist Michelle Bellamy painting a Mole Tops tarn scene in the Nelson Lakes National Park.
Mole Tops Tarn painting progress

October 02, 2025

The Mole Tops Tarn painting is steadily progressing, I am currently alternating layering in the thick luminescent highlights and the detail strands of tussocks. Can't really rush this process...

Continue Reading

Detail in the St Arnaud painting
Detail in the St Arnaud painting

September 18, 2025

A closer look at some of the details in the St Arnaud Ridge painting that are starting to take shape. I'm starting to gain the luminosity in the tussocks alternating thick, sticky paint and intricate tussock strands. It's a bit demoralizing as you...

Continue Reading

St Arnaud Ridge
St Arnaud Ridge

September 16, 2025

Still steadily working away on the St Arnaud Tarn painting. I've finished the tarn, put a lot of work into the background mountain (Raglan) range. The light beams have been a challenge while retaining some detail - more...

Continue Reading