16
Jun

Artist in residence!

Coromandel Arts Tour

I have finally taken the plunge and will be opening up my studio to visitors during the Coromandel Open Studios tour on October 1,2 and 8,9.

I had been life drawing for years but now I am painting sea and landscapes, and have been inspired by our outlook on Preeces Point.

The views are always changing as the tide goes in and out, and there is also a cute beach which we look down on. Every time I look out the window it’s different, the clouds, the colour of the sea, the birds.

I suddenly started painting this winter after completing work on our house and holiday studios. Now I have to paint every day or I get a bit twitchy.

I could probably paint by the square metre! I just love it. I use the biggest brushes and try to be bold and free. Local artists such as Vaughan Udall have been a huge help and encouragement, as has my husband Ris.

Of course, not all of my paintings make the final cut. As each one evolves, it either clicks or doesn’t. Those that don’t make the grade get recycled. It’s all part of the process and I am learning every day.

Views of Te Kouma and other nearby beaches features in my work as well as commissioned life drawings.

I am in awe of big skies, ominous clouds, fiery sunsets, dramatic pink and orange skies and turquoise seas. Sometimes I just have to stop and take a picture of a sky so I can then paint it later.

At university, I was a graphic designer. Among my jobs was designing posters for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was then became a journalist, and worked in the UK and Auckland before becoming production editor of the Sunday Star-Times.

It was a huge lifestyle change when we moved to Coromandel four years ago. But this is the life I always wanted – surrounded by good friends who pop around, beautiful countryside and visitors staying in our studios. We’re so lucky to live here.

The accommodation studios will be open to visitors so we hope to encourage people to go on the arts tour in town. It will be a fantastic event as last year’s was, of course, cancelled due to Covid, so there’s plenty of art to see.

For more information on the arts tour go to coromandelartstour.co.nz.