Fisherman's Hut at Poolburn [Untitled]

Fisherman's Hut at Poolburn [Untitled] New Zealand
Original acrylic painting on cedar framed board
By Michelle Bellamy
1000 x 700mm
In progress 2023-2025
SOLD

I have been working on the finer detail in the Poolburn painting recently and it seems like every time I pick up the brush there seems to be a tiny hut popping out from behind a rock. There's not quite that many, but there are a few nestled around the reservoir and each has a lot of character. This particular one caught my eye, how close it is to the rock, how tiny it is and look how it is made.Nestled high in the rugged heart of Central Otago, Poolburn Dam is an interesting place containing striking contrasts. Vast open skies, golden tussock-covered hills, unusual schist rock formations, and the deep blue waters of the reservoir combine to create a landscape that feels both remote and timeless. Built in 1931 as part of an irrigation scheme for the Ida Valley, the reservoir remains one of Central Otago's most iconic high-country locations and is renowned for its dramatic scenery, fishing, and rich history. Dotted around the shoreline are these iconic huts - perhaps 30 or more, I haven't counted.