I had to take a break from Fall’s Dam recently. I was so immersed in it, I was overworking the layers of colour. Also started to get RSI in the wrist, when this happens I know that its time to move into something more free-form. You might recognise this Wellington coastal scene, I’ve been putting it together in my mind for a few months now. It is 1900mm wide by 900mm high and it is a commission. I’ve been working with a very creative client, he has a vision of lush native bush and the local birdlife. There is going to be Tūī, Pīwakawaka and hopefully kererū, if I can get close enough to the three local kererū that hang around my studio. Flax and cabbage tree also, mixed with other beautiful natives. Its pretty rough now, I’ve been putting down the heavy saturated base colours that give it depth. I can see how it will progress in my mind, so you’ll have to follow this painting to see it too!
Camp Stream Hut, a historic musterers hut on the Te Araroa trail near Tekapo with Roundhill in the background. A magical place to visit, especially in the late afternoon although once the sun falls it becomes bitterly cold. On this particular trip the walk out was sodden with snow melt and my feet lost feeling in the last main river. Brr…
Inspired by an almost dreamlike trip along ridge lines, past Lake Morgan and to the top of Mt O’Shanessy the painting is slowly taking shape. I really wanted to capture those warm, golden, summer West Coast rays that you...
While the mountains are freezing and the nights are long it's one of the best times of the year to settle in and put some quality time into painting… I have been making excellent progress on the artworks behind me in the above photo, already adding in lots of detail layers and rich washes of colour. Yet there's...
