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Michelle Bellamy paints scenes from Nelson Lakes National Park because it combines many of the things that define her work - remote landscapes, mountain ranges, alpine tarns, tussock, native beech forest and the sense of adventure that comes from exploring wild places. More importantly, it is close to home and a place she has personally explored, so the paintings are based on lived experiences rather than simply scenic views. The landscape offers constantly changing light, weather and colour, giving her plenty to interpret artistically. For her, the small details are just as important as the grand scenery, a tarn, a little hut among the tussock, sunlight shaping the mountain ridge or the texture of the alpine tussocks can become the focal point of a painting. There's also a strong emotional connection, these are places where she has spent time exploring with family, hiking and experiencing the landscape firsthand. That allows the paintings to capture not just what Nelson Lakes looks like, but what it feels like to be there.
After climbing to over 1,700 metres past Parachute Rocks, named for the parachute-shaped gravel scree slope to the north, you reach a ridge overlooking this particular tarn. The painting brings together both the sweeping scale and the tiniest details of this spectacular high-country landscape. Sunbeams streak through the distant ranges, while the still surface of the tarn reflects the quiet morning light. In the foreground, there had to be tussocks, each stand in the foreground has been individually painted and layered multiple times to capture their distinctive texture and form. It has been a true labour of love to portray this spectacular place so close to home, a landscape that holds a very special place in my heart.
The Travers River is a clear, snow-fed wilderness river flowing through the heart of Nelson Lakes National Park. Fed by streams from the Travers and St Arnaud Ranges, it winds past beech forest and open tussock flats before flowing into Lake Rotoiti. Deep blue pools and rushing rapids create ideal habitat for trout, easily spotted in the crystal-clear water. I wanted to capture the movement and clarity of the river, contrasting the flowing water with the stillness of the surrounding landscape. The towering mountain ranges provide a dramatic backdrop, while the shifting light across the valley brings the scene to life. It is a place that truly rewards exploration.
Follow the St Arnaud Range along the ridge and you’ll eventually come across a group of alpine tarns nestled in a sheltered basin above Rough Creek. From here, expansive views stretch east towards the rugged Raglan Range, forming a dramatic barrier between the Branch River and Wairau Valley. This painting was inspired by the quiet and isolation of this alpine landscape, where still tarns sit still beneath vast mountain ranges and a soft sky. I wanted to capture the contrast between the delicate details of the warm afternoon light streaking across the tussocks and the immense scale of the cooler, contrasting surrounding mountains. Soft late afternoon light brings warmth to the landscape, creating a peaceful moment in this remote corner of Nelson Lakes.
Kea Hut sits among tussock and beech forest in the Mt Robert area of Nelson Lakes National Park, its bright red roof making it a striking feature against the surrounding landscape. Lovingly restored by the Mt Robert Snow Sports Trust, the hut lies just a few hundred meters from Bushline Hut and can be glimpsed from Paddy’s Track. I was drawn to the way the little hut sits within its rugged setting, surrounded by layers of beech trees and with the St Arnaud Range towering behind. The painting captures the contrast between the quaint little hut, golden tussock and cool mountain tones. Painted with the utmost care and every detail rendered carefully it is a beautiful rendition of a timeless place.
At Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park, the walk up either Pinchgut Track or Paddy’s Track leads to the Relax Shelter, a welcome haven from the wind with spectacular ridge line views and mountains beyond. It is well worth the climb and accessible enough to take the whole family - minus the dog. I was drawn to the shelter’s simple form and its wonderful position within the landscape, surrounded by tussock and native beech forest. In the painting, I’ve focused on the contrast between the warm earthy tones of the big tussocks and the cool blues of the clear sky and distant mountains. Every detail helps capture the quiet character of this much-loved place.
Emerging over the final ridge before descending into the Arnst River valley, the Paratītahi Tarns appear like a hidden alpine paradise. Nestled together within softly rolling tussock basins, the tarns lead the eye towards the distant Mt Chittenden, rising to 2,205 metres.This painting is a true labour of love. I spent countless hours shaping the golden contours of the tussock, carefully rendering the rugged scree slopes and layering subtle blues across the distant mountains. I wanted to capture the feeling of space, light and solitude found in this remote landscape. Each day spent painting this scene transported me back into the ranges, and through this artwork, I hope it carries you there too.
The views that unfold before you as you crest the ridge include the recently named Paratītahi Tarns and the larger Paraumu Tarn at the very head of the Arnst River. Recognized as one of the top 15 backcountry lakes in New Zealand by Wilderness magazine, this area is truly a natural paradise. Capturing a hidden gem within Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand, the Paratītahi Tarns, nestled towards the end of the Saint Arnaud Range, offer a serene and secluded landscape that few have the privilege to experience. This off-the-beaten-track destination is accessible from the Rainbow Basin or the head of Lake Rotoiti. After navigating the rugged terrain and scrambling over bulky boulders, the breathtaking beauty of this tarn network is revealed, with pristine creeks weaving through the landscape, surrounded by an almost eerie silence, broken only by the gentle sound of flowing water.
As you climb higher into Nelson Lakes National Park, on the Ella Range, beech forest gives way to open tussock, sub-alpine shrubs and prickly alpine plants, creating a wonderful sense of space and isolation. It was these tarns along the Mole Tops with the Mahanga Range beyond that caught my attention, their rugged peaks, soft summer colours and cool blue pools of water. I wanted to capture more than the landscape itself, the feeling of being there on a hot summer day, with the tarns offering an irresistible invitation to cool off. Back in the studio, I am focusing on the warm evening light, layered mountain tones and intricate tussock detail, capturing the openness and freedom of exploring these remote places with the family.
