Welcome to my monthly blog, where I have a monologue about my art journey.

Last month went by and I thought I would have nothing to write about as my art production is way down. But it wasn’t all bad.

Not a huge crowd that visited me for my Open Studio at Easter but those that did enjoyed my art and gave me great feedback.

The weather has not been conducive to sitting and sketching outside so when the Waihi Plein Air sketches met in Waihi to sketch Morton’s Garage there was just 2 of us. After coffee I went and sat in my car and did a sketch and added some paint, just to prove I had been there. Unfortunately I think the building is about to fall over.

I can’t seem to get my perspective right. I know all the theory’s about horizon lines, vanishing points etc etc but my buildings still fall over!!! Do you have the same problem? Any tricks I can use?

With that in mind I jumped at the chance to do a one day workshop in Tauranga with Oliver Hoeller. Oliver had been tutoring in Auckland at the International Urban Sketches Symposium and came to Tauranga to do this workshop while still in New Zealand.

Then it was our turn to use the stunning setting for our own sketches.

Although I was happy with my sketch I was doing it wrong!!! I hadn’t taken in the process that Oliver used.

Draw the object as a silhouette without any shading. (That’s where I went wrong!!) Then using the line weight it to bring objects to the foreground. That means darker, heavier line on foreground shapes. Do a thumbnail sketch to show your darkest darks and your lightest light. Put more detail into your focal point. Apply your shading with paint with reference to the thumbnail sketch. Whew!! Then this happened.

So even though I haven’t done any amazing landscapes to show you I did learn lots last month. That must count on my journey. Now I’m ready for the next month!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope I kept your interest. Hang in there cos August is going to be full of my adventures in Scotland ❤️

Ka kite ano. See you again. Pamela

Welcome to my monthly blog, where I highlight all the arty activities I have done over the last month and what I’m looking forward to in the month ahead.

We had a great group of artists meet up for our Waihi Plein Air painters. Not far from home we sat on the beach access and sketched and painted. A little person came to check out what we were doing and enjoyed using my camera to capture what was happening.

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Our art group Unlimited Pallet, spent a day in Whakatāne visiting the National exhibition, Molly Morpeth Canady. It was great to see 2 artists that I follow on Instagram, Vicki Fraser and Sarah Jane Moon. Well done artists I was very happy to see your work.

Franklin Arts is over for the year. Also a wonderful opportunity to exhibit even though there were no sales this year for me.

A big thank you to Alex and Anita from the Waihi Beach Gallery who have supported me by including my work in their beautiful space. I’ve put some new ones in this week so check them out. Also they now stock my handmade, original artwork greeting cards. These look great framed too. An inexpensive way to have original artwork.

OPEN. STUDIO…. This Easter I’m going to have a massive display of my artwork. Come and check it out Good Friday 7th April and Easter Saturday 8th April between 10am and 3pm. The flag will be out! If these times don’t suit be in touch to make another time.

I love getting all your feedback. Keep it coming. If there is something you would like me to discuss in these blogs please ask.

Ka kite ano. Pamela

Actually I hope it’s not going to be a mad March. We have already had earthquakes, floods and cyclones this year, and that’s just in little ole Waihi Beach. We have had beautiful days in March so far. Long may it continue.

As I write this we have just come back from visiting friends at Snells Beach, which is north of Auckland. Sally is a print maker and was a member of the local art group Unlimited Palette before they moved. We set ourselves a bit of a challenge. Everywhere we visited we had 10 minutes to do a sketch. Whew! What a great record of our days. Here’s a view of mine.

Remembering that all of these sketches were done in 10 minutes. (Mansion house went over time though.) Thanks Sally and Ian. We had a great time.

When I think about it I’ve done more plein art sketching than studio painting this last month. Our Waihi plein air group sketched at the little settlement of Waikino. The floods came a couple of days later. Luckily this little cottage is still standing!

Also Tauranga Urban Sketchers met at ‘The Shire of Florence’ in Te Puna and sketched the little hobbit houses. Such fun!

It’s great looking back and seeing what I have done for the month. Plenty of time for studio work once the winter months come.

The big event for the month of March is Franklin Arts annual exhibition. This year the exhibition is on from the 18th- 26th March in the Town Hall in Pukekohe. A wonderful exhibition which I have registered 4 works for this year. I hope they are well received.

I’m thinking of having an Open Studio at Easter. Don’t know what day at this stage but if you are around and want to have a look through my studio, please get in touch.

I’ll finish with an image of Mansion house Kawau Island and Sally and I on the beach, laughing about something???

Til next month. Ka kite ano. Pamela.

Hi there, ciao, Kia Ora. In December I told myself and you, that social media was going off my radar till February!!! Do you know how difficult that is? I probably lasted a week before I had to check who was posting on IG, another week before I had to check hits on my website and then January when I positively had to post on Facebook, advertising for our pop-up last weekend. I must admit I have not done a newsletter or posted on Instagram during that time. But I’m positively “itching” to tell you my news!!!

Towards the end of the year I looked around the world for an artist residency. My favourite one was in Scotland. I applied with all the information they needed and recently got confirmation back that I have been accepted for a two week residency in Cromarty, in the highlands of Scotland 😁

Back to earth! I did a painting for Watercolour NZ summer challenge.

Our little pop-up at the church was very quiet, due to the rain and few people venturing out. A total of 36 people came and I had no sales! It was a good day though as we had a good catch up and decided we couldn’t do much else on a day like that anyway.

I’m currently painting in preparation for exhibiting at the Franklin Arts Exhibition in March, which is my next big event.

This is the year where I will concentrate more on painting and less on teaching. In saying that I have already taken a full day watercolour class for some holiday makers. A mum and her 2 teenage daughters spent the day playing with this fabulous medium and went back to Sydney all enthusiastic to do more.

Enjoy your February, wherever you may be and don’t forget to send me feedback.

Ka kite ano. PAMELA

Wow!!Its December. I couldn’t think of a suitable rhyming word for December so I used it again.

For those of you who I haven’t told personally my paintings were eventually found and delivered to Watercolour NZ’s national exhibition and I was very fortunate to receive the award for ‘Innovation in Watercolour’. I was very pleased to have my abstract work acknowledged by the Judge, Brian Baxter and several prominent watercolourists of national standing. The little voice at the back of my head had been saying “they won’t like it, they will laugh you out of the exhibition, blah,blah,blah…” But they didn’t. I felt so good. Further to that, the five paintings that were sent to the exhibition, only one came back. Thank you to all the buyers who felt the connection with my work and chose to purchase them.

On the 10th November, Karen, another artist at the Beach, and I attended the Creatives Lunch here at Waihi Beach. Usually this event is held in Tauranga so it was so nice to be able to attend locally. Run by Creative Bay of Plenty there were artists of all genre, from visual artists to musicians, and everything in between. Such a valuable time for meeting other like minded artists from the local area. always good to visit the Flat White as well.

I can’t report on the Waihi Plein Air creativity as we were rained out. This month we will do our plein air from the luxury of the tables at the Talisman hotel in Katikati were we shall celebrate a year of plein air. We will start again in February.

The other big event for me in November was the Tauranga Garden and Art Festival. It was such an amazing time. Although the rain spoilt the opportunity for a lot of people getting out and about those that did venture out were very keen to spend the time to talk and meet with the artists.

I had a little cabin which I was able to display my work, and when it rained I shut the doors and waited for the shower to pass. One day my granddaughter came and helped me to arrange and display the work. We were at the Racecourse so she dressed appropriately in her polo shirt.

I had some wonderful conversations with lots of very interested people. The sales that happened were from people who had been ‘following’ me on instagram, seen my work somewhere else and / or recently bought some work on line. All these people knew my work and what I did. That is a real buzz for me that there are those of you who watch with interest how my art develops.

Tauranga Urban Sketchers met at Pilot Bay at Mount Maunganui and did a progressive sketching exercise then had lunch together at a local cafe/ restaurant. Our last get together for the year.

This being the last blog for the year, I would like to wish you all a Christmas of sharing, compassion and understanding of those who are different to you. I wish that over this time of great stress and financial awareness that you can follow the words of my very wise daughter who said, ‘may you live with ease’.

Just a little ‘heads up’. My computer and everything associated with it, will be on holiday for the rest of December and January. I’m going to see if I can do it!!!! I’ll only answer my phone. Talk next year.

Pamela

Kia Ora followers. It’s November!!!

I’m feeling a little anxious as I write this. I told you all last month that we were flying to Wellington for the annual SPLASH watercolour New Zealand exhibition. Well! Literally minutes ago the organisers contacted me to ask where my paintings were as they were hanging the art, judging and literally doing the final set up and my paintings haven’t been delivered 😢. The courier has gone home for the night so I’m waiting on tender hooks till tomorrow to find out where they are. Might be flying to Wellington to look at everyone else’s paintings.😭 I am literally praying they will turn up tomorrow.

On a better note, the remaining 3 artists of Unlimited Palette held a pop_up in the Church foyer down at the village on Labour weekend. Saturday 22nd October. A very successful day with sales and lots of wonderful conversations with interested people, wanting to know more about our practice. This was our first one after 2 years and I realised how much I had missed the one on one with the purchases of our work.

I felt particularly proud when I had return buyers from past years who were interested in seeing how my work had developed and purchasing new pieces.

Many of you may be aware that I have an online shop at pamsart.felt.co.nz . With Christmas coming up have a look for paintings that could be easily framed for gifts.

On the 17th November the Garden and Art festival opens in Tauranga. In the last couple of days I have been informed that I will be one of the artists to exhibit in the Tiny House Village. Several Tiny Homes will be placed in a group and artists will exhibit from this space. So come and find me at Bloom in the Bay at the Tauranga Racecourse grounds between Thursday 17th and Sunday 20th. I’ll have my awesome new flag out too.

Waihi Plein Air painters will meet across the road from Morton’s Garage at 9.30am on Friday 11th November. A beautiful old rustic building at 19 Haszard St Waihi. Come and join us for some sketching/painting practice and coffee afterwards.

Thank you all for following me. Have a great month and if you are in Wellington from the 5th to 20th November, check out the SPLASH exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts, 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington. Hopefully you will be able to see my work!!!!

Ka Kite Ano………Pamela

I know:) It’s the 9th day of the month and I haven’t done my blog to you. So while the cricket is on the TV I will let you know what has been happening.

The two workshops held over four days were very rewarding. All of the 20 or more participants were enthusiastic, open to new ideas and suggestions and did some amazing art work. Participants discovered a technique they could use to incorporate into their own style of painting. I learnt heaps too!!!

On every day 12 to 3pm until Sunday 16th October. Three local artists. Berys Daly, Pamela Lines and Robyn Betterton. WATER 💦 Check it out its free. The building is historical as well.

Haven’t been doing a lot of painting. Seems to be more teaching than painting at the moment. I did do this little painting though.

I love making these cards. I find little gems of art in my discarded paintings and cut them out to make these. Sometimes I add a hill or some trees or rocks. Each card is signed and would be stunning in a frame for a special person at Christmas time. ( or any time really).

Fun little watercolours from my last class of the year. The three participants had a full day of painting but had lots of laughs as well.

I’m so looking forward to the Garden and Arts festival. November 16th til the 19th. I know the Carlton Gallery in Katikati are selling tickets to this amazing biennial event in the Bay of Plenty. I will be at the HUB at the racecourse where there will be lots of art, gardens, demonstrations, live music and celebrities. Come find me and my new banner.

We are flying to Wellington for the opening of the SPLASH exhibition on 4th November. The highlight of my watercolour year!!!! A whole exhibition of watercolour paintings. Very seldom is there a national exhibition of purely watercolours. Bliss!!!!

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. I love to do it, especially when I get feedback.

Ka kite ano. Pamela.

Already I have noticed the days are longer and the temperature is rising. The bulbs are blooming and summer is on the way!!😍

In August we traveled to Queensland to see families we hadn’t seen in 3 years. We spent time in a campervan travelling between homes, so time for the odd little sketch.

In Townsville I used my $3 KMart watercolour paints to do this rather bright Castle Hill.

But now we are back home again and I’m preparing for my workshops in Wellington. The first 22nd and 23rd of September then 24th and 25th September. Classes for intermediate and advanced students through Watercolour New Zealand. It will be amazing!!

On the last week of the month I’ll be catching up with the other artists displaying at the Garden and Art Festival and learn about what we need to do to be in the festival. For those of you going to the 4day event I will be exhibiting at the HUB. Come find me and check out my work.

From the 3rd to the 15th of October visit the Art Gallery at the Waihi Museum ( not open every day) for an exhibition by Robyn Betterton, Berys Daly and Pamela Lines. The Exhibition is titled Water. Which means I have lots of work available under that heading!!!

My last beginners watercolour class for the year will be on Thursday 6th and 13th of October. Contact me if you would like to be part of this class.

Check out my revised and tweaked website. Done by my beautiful, talented daughter, Dale❤️🙏 This month I’m also working on my Felt shop 🙂 pamsart.felt.co.nz If you are looking for gifts for the festive season I have original watercolours, unframed, for ease of postage through my felt shop. My studio is also looking amazing at the moment. If you are handy make an appointment to do a studio visit and come check out my framed works.

Until next time keep healthy and safe.

Ka kite…. Pamela

Kia Ora followers. Thanks for all the feedback. Im loving that. It’s quite a surreal experience writing about my art journey to people I don’t know. So thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

The Tauranga Urban Sketchers met at the Bridge marina to draw, paint and have coffee. It was almost too busy visually to do the scene justice. I did a quick sketch and finished it off with some scratchy colour in my studio.

This is the actual view. My next quick little sketch was the rocks and the beautiful clear water in front of me.

I’m pretty sure I’ve previously told you about my love of contour drawing, especially blind contour. If I haven’t, or you have forgotten, it’s when you put the pen on the paper and take it off when your drawing is finished. Your drawing is therefore done in a continuous line. To do it blind means you don’t look at your page. Just the object in front of you. Consequently if you are doing a portrait, the eyes or nose can end up anywhere. All in a continuous line!!! This style of drawing reminds me so much of children’s art. It has an energy and a certain truth to it that I find exhilarating.

What do you think? You can tell my drawing is of a boat, can’t you?

Last week I went to the opening of the Garden and Art festival.

It will be on for 4 full days . A massive festival with over 70 gardens this year, and lots of the gardens will have artists in them. I have been selected to be at the Hub of Bloom in the Bay. At the Tauranga Racecourse where there will be garden displays, live music, workshops and lots of art. It will be exciting to be part of the action. If you are going to the festival Hub please come and see me.

Thanks to Watercolour NZ for inviting me to take a workshop in Wellington. I’m really looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. These participants will be confident in using the medium and I’m looking forward to seeing what they produce.

I think of workshops I’ve been to and it’s the people I remember, more than anything. I remember reading once ( not a scientific survey) that 80% of what you learn at a workshop is learnt at morning tea and lunchtime. That’s when you talk to like minded people who are following the same journey you are.

So what makes a good workshop??? Lots of morning tea and lunch???

What’s the best workshop you ever went to? What made it special? On that note, do you have a worst workshop you ever went to?

Give me feedback so I can make up a do’s and don’ts list for presenting my workshop. If I get a list I’ll publish it in next months blog.

Well, that’s it for another month. I’ll be blogging again in September. We are off to sunny Queensland for a few weeks to get out of a NZ winter.

Ka kite. Pamela