Pamela Lines

I love January and the promise of new beginnings. Not only is the weather hot and we swim and have lazy days but we make plans for the year and I create ideas and opportunities for my art journey.

My main goal for this year is to spend more time doing plein air painting. Going outside and painting as much as possible. I have started by joining the Tauranga Sketchers group that meet once a month. This month we sat by the Hairy McLeary statue park at the Strand. There were cafes, boats, hills, water and a rail bridge, and everything in between.

With COVID-19 shutting most things down for awhile it will be a pleasure to get the Waihi Plein Air group up and running again. We will start the year on Friday the 11/2/22 at 9.30, meeting at the Waihi Beach reservoir car park and paint in the area.

The local community have a fair at the beginning of January and this year I held an Open Studio (garage) on the day so I could capture an audience as it passed by. It turned out to be a very quiet day as people walked past my sign on the way to the fair. Those that did come in to see me were great to talk to. I’m going to try again on the Saturday of Auckland Anniversary weekend and hopefully meet more people who want to view and talk about my art.

Our little artist group, Unlimited Palette, have the use of the Waihi Accountants window. We love to display our works in there and we are getting good feedback from locals who enjoy seeing the art and know when we have changed it around and put new works in. The photo below is a side on view so looks a bit messy but people do stop to look and see the art.

I’m getting excited about the Women in Art art tour up to the Bay Of Islands in February. I’ll be able to post lots of paintings and sketches of our time away when we get back. All fingers and toes are crossed in the hope that it goes ahead and no pandemic gets in the way of creativity.

Just a fun thing to finish up with. My brushes here are so special to me and each one of them has a story. My most favourite brush is this one shown. It’s a Robert Simmons no.14 round and was given to me by a very dear friend, Dot McComb. Dot is the most amazing watercolourist who took me under her wing when I first started painting watercolour and shared her vast knowledge and understanding of this most wonderful medium. Of course I think of Dot every time I pick up this brush and use it in my work.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my monthly blog. Check out my postings on pamelalinesart on Instagram and pamsart.felt.co.nz which has my shop for sales.

Ka kite ano. See you again. Pamela.

Another trip to Hawera where we dismantled my watercolour exhibition. Beautiful gallery, beautiful people and I’m so pleased that I did it.

Part of the weekend was also spent painting outdoors with the Watercolour NZ artists at the paintaway weekend in Oakura, Taranaki. It rained most of the time but most people were able to find a dry spot to paint.

On the last day we painted as a group in the Okato hall. The most amazing watercolour artists and all so open and giving of their knowledge. We displayed our work as a little pop up for locals to visit.

One of my philosophies about art is that when I sell some artwork of mine I like to support other artists and buy their art work. With sales happening in Hawera I have recently acquired some glass artwork by Waverley artist Lisa Walsh. Every time we go through South Taranaki we stop at her studio and see what she has. This time I bought some. Check out her website.

The other art work I have recently acquired is called Coastal Honey by Ron Hall. Ron uses old beehives for his works and they have amazing texture and colour . They have history and tell a story of their past. Ron has a website and is on Instagram.

In the new year we will start up the Waihi plein air painters again. Have an Open Studio Ramble at anniversary weekend, and I’m looking forward to taking a group of enthusiastic watercolour artists to the Bay of Islands.

Thank you all for following my blog. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I will reach out to you again in 2022.

Pamela

I have often wondered how good it would be to have a solo exhibition. Now I know. It’s a lot of work but so rewarding, especially when it’s held in Hawera, the town of my birth. Monday night 8th November was opening night for my Watercolour Reflections, Past and Present exhibition. I have been preparing for this exhibition since February and it was a great opening night with lots of my whanau (extended family) there to support me.

While we were down in Taranaki I used some time to find a beach and sit and do some plein air drawing.

Such a relaxing time soaking in the sun and atmosphere of the region of my birth. On the road trip back home we called in to the Lockwood show homes in Rotorua which are currently hosting an exhibition of art within the show homes. It was lovely to see work from local artists and my own work.

Well another exhibition has been canceled for this year. Franklin Arts exhibition will now be held from the 4th -13th March 2022. Hopefully those dates will be successful ones for Auckland.

EVENTS coming up early next year will include an Open Studio at Auckland Anniversary weekend.

The Art Tour from 14th – 19th February, to the Bay of Islands and Franklin Arts now in March.

Pamela Lines artist.

Although springtime usually motivates me to paint, I haven’t. I can share some work with you though. While sitting on the beach the other day I did some plein air painting.

One thing I’ve noticed about plein air painting, it always seems lighter when you come inside!! The sea, sand, tides and waves are my constant inspiration.

On 24th September I had an impromptu open Studio. Always a lot of work setting it up but it was so enjoyable. I had 33 people sign in and wander around my studio and into the extended space in our garage.

Rotorua is hosting the Bay of Plenty 2021 Artists Exhibition. This will be open to the public from Monday 8 November to Sunday 12 December 10-4pm @ Lockwood Show Homes, Fairysprings Rd. Rotorua.

Franklin Arts have rescheduled their exhibition this year. Due to lockdown they are now opening to the public from Friday 26th November until Thursday 2nd December.

After my open Studio I assessed and catalogued my work ready for my solo exhibition in the Lysaght Watt Gallery in Hawera. Still work away being framed but basically on track for opening night on Monday 8 November. It will run through til 4th December. Lysaght Watt Gallery Union St Hawera.

Thank you all for joining my blog. I love your feedback.

Ka kite ano.

Pamela

I thought when we went into lockdown this time I would get lots of painting done and all the household chores that are constantly waiting for me. Instead the motivation left the household and we preferred to sit about, reading, watching tv and making melting moments. I did do some paintings of the beach for the Watercolour NZ 5 day challenge, which helped a little.

Maddox Jewellers in Katikati still has the Visual Haiku in their gallery. Unfortunately no one can see it until we go down to level 2.

It was very cold at the beach last week so I did some plein air from my covered deck. Always good practice to do this. Not always with good results.

My favourite day was when I had a session of wet on wet painting fast and loose and then putting a land mass across the horizon. What do you think??

In February 13th to 19th I am taking a group of women artists( beginners to advanced) on a painting holiday to the Bay of Islands. A fabulous opportunity for concentrating on your practice. If you would like to know more about this trip please make contact with either myself ( through this blog) or Sharron Hickman on 0274732934 or email sbhickman@xtra.co.nz. Sharron is the tour guide through Exclusive Tours Ltd.

Once again thank you for taking the time to read my blog for the month.

My work is available on my Instagram account waihibeachart , pamsart.felt.co.nz , Waihi Beach Gallery and by appointment at my studio.

Ka kite ano. See you again.

Pamela

Kia Ora. Thank you for checking in to my blog this month. It’s a beautiful time on the beach in August. High tides and crashing waves make walks along the beach quite exciting.

The exhibition by the Unlimited Palette artists is hanging in Maddox Jewellers on the Main St in Katikati. Visual Haiku exhibition is a series of work 300x300mm all the one price. Each piece corresponds to a haiku poem either from the Katikati Haiku pathway, the artists themselves, or other sources.

Other venues where my art is currently available include the Waihi Beach Gallery, online Felt shop, pamsart.felt.co.nz and through my studio at Waihi beach.

Thank you for your interest in my work and please give feedback and/or suggestions for including in my monthly blog.

Pamela Lines

Over half way through the year already. For my art journey my year has two halves as well. The first half of the year is when I find I do most of my classes and paint, paint, paint. The second half of the year seems to be the season for exhibitions.

This year the season will start in August when our little group Unlimited Palette will be exhibiting at Maddox Jewellers in the Main Street Katikati. Our exhibition is Haiku in Art, where our art works will relate to a haiku from the haiku pathway in Katikati or from another source of haiku poems and the artist’s themselves.

All of the art work will measure 300 x 300mm and all priced at $120.

September will be a preparation and framing month. Submissions for Franklin Arts in Pukekohe with the exhibition from the 2nd October until the 10th October at the Pukekohe Town Hall. A superb event with some amazing art work. Looking forward to seeing that exhibition.

October is the highlight of my year with the Watercolour NZ exhibition SPLASH. Held annually at the Academy of Fine Art Wellington. This year from the 16th October through to the 31st October.

November will include the inaugural exhibition of Bay of Plenty Artists in Rotorua. From the 8th November through to the 12th December.

My big news is my solo exhibition in Hawera in November. I have been accepted to exhibit at the beautiful Lysaght Watt Gallery from the 9th November until the 4th December. Pamela Lines: Watercolour past and present will be a journey through the last decade of my watercolour art. Hawera is the small town where I grew up and still have family there, so it will be like a homecoming for myself and my art.

Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of opening night on Monday 8th November.

My last class for the year will start tomorrow and go for 5 weeks. I do learn heaps from them but I’m ready to start preparations for Hawera and the coming exhibitions.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. As always would love to hear back from you.

Take care. Ka kite ano.

PAMELA

I’m only just putting my thoughts into place to create my monthly blog. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read it. We all have busy lives so I do appreciate your interest. Thanks also to those of you who respond to my blog. Love to hear from more of you. My email is pam.lines@xtra.co.nz if you prefer to email me.

A trip to Taranaki to see my whanau and some plein air with cousin Helen was a highlight of the month.

A day in the studio resulted in an abundance of beautiful cards. Some days I just feel like cutting paper and gluing it back together in a different format. Usually it results in one of my reconnected art works. This time they became cards.

A hard day for the class this week. Putting colours together and watching them blend and make new colours. Exciting to watch.

I know!!!! They are not abstract!!! I just needed to paint pictures of my beach. I enjoy doing these paintings of what I see but the abstract paintings are about what I feel. I’m now going back to what I ‘feel’ for the rest of the month.

I often have people ask where they can purchase my work. For me the easiest, safest way is through my shop online @ Felt. A website devoted to New Zealand creatives. Go to pamsart.felt.co.nz If you are an international buyer contact me through this website as felt is only for NZ and Australian sales.

Thank you for following my blog.

Ka kite ano. See you next time.

Pamela

That heading sounds a bit boring but it has been a quiet month so far. Classes start next month, and sales have been very slow. Quiet time means time to regroup and get the jobs done that are passed over during the busy season. Cleaning the studio, putting the paints and tools back in their allocated areas so I know where to grab them when I need them. Also a great time for reframing works and getting them exhibition ready.

Although my abstract work is different from my reconnecting series I still see similarities. Horizon lines, water and the land are constant within the images.

I attended the Creative BOP workshop on Writing an Artist Statement and Pricing Artwork. Great time to meet other artists and obtain ideas for working on my business.

My next beginners watercolour class starts on Tuesday 1st June 10-12 for 5 weeks.

Weekend classes available 12/13th or 19/20th. 9-3. $120 with all materials supplied.

Abstract watercolour workshop. Friday 11th or Friday 25th June. 9-3. $80

Not for beginners.

Thank you for following my blog. If there is anything you would like me to include please be in touch. I had a request from a subscriber who would like a video of me working on my abstract paintings. I’m currently looking into this so watch this space.

Ka kite

Pamela

This month I have taken another abstract watercolour workshop and again I learnt so much. A small group but so busy and went away with some stunning works.

Unlimited Palette group finishes their online exhibition at the end of April. This has been held through Taranaki artist, Dale Copeland’s on line gallery http://www.virtual.tart.co.nz Check it out!

On a recent road trip to Taranaki I purchased a supply of possum skins for making my leather journals. In New Zealand opossum are a pest as they eat the young shoots of the native trees causing a lot of destruction. But the leather from this animal is soft and pliable and beautiful to work with. It gives me a lot of sensory pleasure in working with it and I’m sure those who have these unique books enjoy the tactile experience as well.

The April / May publication of Focus magazine, a promotional free magazine, has included Bay of Plenty ‘creatives’ and have included a write up of Pamela Lines – watercolourist. For those of you unable to pick up a copy go to http://www.focusmagazine.co.no. Another opportunity for me to reach more people.

My most up to date way to show my work is through my instagram account, waihibeachart.

Thank you once again for following my blog. Until next month, Ka kite ano.

Pamela Lines