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.
Scott’s Landing Goat Island. Looking down on the bay. The black dots are a school party swimming and snorkelling😂. Goat Island. Sally sitting sketching on the rocks at Goat Island.Mathieson BayOmaha BeachSeagulls. They kept moving!Sand spit. Where we caught the ferry over to Kawau IslandThe pier at Mansion Bay Kawau IslandThe water taxi came in to the pier.From Mansion House Bay towards the mainland.Mansion house. The original part built in 1844. It only looks as though it’s going to fall over. That’s just my perspective.
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.
Miranda holiday park on the way home.
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!
Waikino cottage.
Also Tauranga Urban Sketchers met at ‘The Shire of Florence’ in Te Puna and sketched the little hobbit houses. Such fun!
Hobbit houses.Tauranga Urban Sketchers
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.
Summer!!Light across the Landscape
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???
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 😁
Cromarty in the highlands of Scotland where I will paint for 2 weeks in August! SOOO excited 😊
Back to earth! I did a painting for Watercolour NZ summer challenge.
I gave it the title ‘ Summer, what Summer?’
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 used this painting to advertise the pop-up and sold it before the day.
I’m currently painting in preparation for exhibiting at the Franklin Arts Exhibition in March, which is my next big event.
This painting and the next were an exercise in painting a wash for the sky and water. I used a full sheet of watercolour paper and let the landscape evolve.I like the way the light is captured.My favourite way to capture the sea.The movement of watercolour.
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.
Abstract Landscape 984Landscape 982
Enjoy your February, wherever you may be and don’t forget to send me feedback.
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.
Opening night at the WatercolourNZ exhibition in Wellington. The award was for Innovation in Watercolour. Up the Whanganui is the painting next to me. The other painting in darks also sold and the Blue Reflections is the one that came home.This is the page of the watercolour magazine which has my painting and a description of what the judge said about it. Also what it meant to me. That’s not me with the judge, Brian Baxter but an up and coming student watercolourist!!My award.
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.
Hope she likes being on my blog. Thanks for your support C.
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.
SOLD at the Garden and Art Gallery.
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.
St Peter’s at Mount MaunganuiThe Stables. Mount Maunganui.My new business cards. Ready for 2023.
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.
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.
The church foyer was a great venue for our pop_up.Cards, small paintings and signs were all for sale.
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.
Here’s a little one that is on its way to Rebecca.
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.
For any of you coming to the Hub at the Race Course, print out this gift certificate and get $20 off any purchase in my space. I’m happy for you to pass it on if you are unable to use it.
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.
One of my paintings from this month.Another of my paintings from this month.Thought you might like to see this one as well.
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!!!!
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.
Wellington workshop
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!!!
Lots of expressive work emerged at the Wellington workshopsExhibition at the Museum Gallery in Waihi
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.
Waihi Museum and Gallery
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.
Waihi Beach (again)Lots of beautiful cards for sale.So many gorgeous little pieces of original art.
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).
My favourite little painting on a card.Art from my beginners watercolour class.
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.
Best banner ever.Another example of my little art on cards.
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.
Already I have noticed the days are longer and the temperature is rising. The bulbs are blooming and summer is on the way!!😍
Spring is in the air
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.
BarraCrab camping ground at Seaview. A soft sunset and funny little slanting trees.
In Townsville I used my $3 KMart watercolour paints to do this rather bright Castle Hill.
Majestic 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.
An amazing 4 days of gardens and art.
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!!!
Watercolour demonstration painting.
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.
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.
Tauranga Marina
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.
Tauranga Marina.
This is the actual view. My next quick little sketch was the rocks and the beautiful clear water in front of me.
Rocks at the Marina.
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.
Boat at the Marina with cranes in the distance.Boat at the Marina with cranes in the distance.
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.
I’m going to be part of it!!!
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.
Weekend workshop in Wellington for Watercolour NZ
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.
I joined Tauranga Urban Sketchers for their morning sketching. It was a beautiful old villa on Cambridge road. Originally moved there from Dannevirk. Restored and added onto but I found a corner to sit and draw. About an hour into it the rain came down.
Villa. Tauranga Urban Sketchers
The biggest event of the month was getting COVID. Still don’t know where I got it from. Still I was lucky . It didn’t hit me too hard, and it gave me days in my studio that I enjoyed. Unfortunately it meant the PopUp exhibition we were having in the village was canceled. The plan is to try again in October when the weather is warmer.
We went walking through the gorge with my daughter and her partner when they visited from Australia. I gave them COVID.
I completed an online course with Alice Sheridan called Refresh and Reset. Alice does a podcast called Art Juice that I listen to as well. Exercises to help get you over the blocks that you have in your art and how to look forward to progressing into the next big thing…. Or small thing. The biggest advantage of the course was the hundreds of other artists who shared their work and IG accounts to follow. The down side has been the crazy men who want to be my ‘friend’ with names like Brad Pit and Keanau Reeves. Never mind there is always a delete button.
I want to extend my watercolour paintings by using line within them. This one of rocks was fun and I liked the outcome.An abstract impression of the McKenzie Country landscape. I used some wax resist on the mountains to give the impression of snow.Really pushed it with colour on this one of the McKenzie Country landscape too. What do you think? Too much?
The Waihi Plein air group met at the Waikino Rail station. It was raining and cold but I found the back of the car quite acceptable.
Out of the rain.Waikino station.Then inside for our coffee by the fire. Not a good photo. I’m no selfie photographer at all.
Thanks for following my blog and my art journey.
Don’t forget to check out my instagram where I put all my artwork @pamelalinesart and also my shop at pamlinesart.felt.co.nz. Or send me a message if there is anything you want to know.
Half way through the year already. How did that happen?
This last month was a month of teaching more than painting. I love it cos I learn so much, but I’m an artist. Shouldn’t I be painting? Maybe the old adage of everything has a season is true for artists as well. You need to rest up and take account of what you are doing and where your next direction is and not to feel guilty if there are days, weeks or even months where you don’t paint. In saying that you may have read my January blog where I mentioned my main focus this year was to be outside doing more plein air. I certainly am doing that, even if I am not painting. These sketches were done while I sat on the beach at the beginning of May.
Quick contour drawing of seagulls as they moved about the beach.This little one was sitting in her pink tutu on the beach digging a hole while her grandparents ( I think) chatted beside her. It was a minute sketch with my brush before she stood to get some water in her bucket.
Tauranga Urban sketchers met at another historical building in Tauranga in May. Whew! Those buildings are a challenge for me. Even when the building is in front of me I can’t get perspective right. That’s where photos can give me a defined angle to work to. I’ll swear I can see an angle going down, then I’ll look at a photo and clearly see that it goes up. I will keep practicing.
Taiparoro House Tauranga.The real Taiparoro House Tauranga.The Rotorua workshop was such fun. Two days of hard work by everyone and some amazing paintings emerged.Many fine works up on the board from a very busy workshop in Rotorua.Heather was out sketching the sculptures in the Government Gardens. Don’t you love her felt hat?The marina in Nelson where we looked out from our hotel room when we had a weekend away down there. I loved doing this sketch but it started to rain and my green pen was not water proof ! See the spots?
A lovely weekend away apart from the rain.
We have just come back from spending Queens Birthday weekend in Taranaki at my cousins place in Stratford. Mount Taranaki was spectacular. My cousin Helen and I spent time out and about sketching local views.The clock tower in the main street, not the leaning one in Pisa. The crooked line gives it character don’t you think? Maybe I should have used a ruler…The real clock tower in Stratford.An old church that is now used as living space for some lucky family in Stratford.The real church lived in by a lucky Stratford family.Ruins of a Dairy Factory on Stratford farmland.Cousin Helen painting while sitting in the boot of her car. Usually a good place to paint, away from public scrutiny. This got very cold, very quickly.The four members of our art support group Unlimited Palette. From left Pam, Sally, Robyn and Berys. Now we are three as Sally moves North to be closer to family. We will miss her support and knowledge. We wish her well.
Upcoming events for June include:
My special little birthday treat. Thanks Sharron. We were at the Suter gallery in Nelson when we ‘bumped’ into Sharron from the Art Tour. She was visiting from Auckland.
Upcoming events for June:
The second workshop with the Waihi U3A group on working with watercolour.
Probus Studio visit. Another opportunity to share my passion.
A five day rest and relax workshop run by Alice Sheridan. I currently listen to her and Louise Fletcher’s podcast, Art Juice, so I’m looking forward to gaining more of an insight into her art journey and how I can help work with mine. Rest and relax…how hard can it be?
Ka kite ano all you lovely followers. Share my blog with others who may be interested and follow me on Instagram @ pamelalinesart.