Okiwi Valley

Acrylic on Board 6in X 6in
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This pretty valley basin lies over the hill from our bay, it has a small cluster of houses that couldn't even be called a village. I have always liked the silver ribbon of the estuary that snakes across the valley when the sun hits its surface.  This was a very quick rendering done in less than an hour.

transformation

Acrylic on board  60cm x 60cm
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This is a little different for me primary colours on a stark black background. I conceived the idea, did a quick thumbnail sketch and just went for it, maybe a little too hasty as it didn't really turn out as I intended. I did have fun painting those caterpillars though.

Laythan out fishing.

Acrylic on board  6 x 6 in. Sold (as a commission)

This is my grandson out with his Dad doing some fishing and looking really cool in his dark wrap around shades.  I found the skin tones quite challenging on this painting. The idea was to try and capture the feel of a bright sunny day, and get something of a likeness too I guess. Of course the sun glasses make it a lot easier for me.  Anyway they caught fish, which is the main thing.

Around the Mount

Acrylic on canvas panel 16 in x 20 in.

A favorite place of ours is the city of Tauranga and the nearby beach holiday town of Mount Maunganui, or 'the mount' as its affectionately known.  There is a coastal walkway around this iconic mountain, (actually a large hill, but I might get shot for saying that),  the path has an almost constant stream of runners, fitness walkers and families strolling around this beautiful spot. On a sunny day it is just glorious, the walk takes about 45 minutes and is worth the effort.  This picture captures the scene well.

Two Old Pines

Conte' pastel drawing on paper.  12 in. x 14 in.

I have spent the day recycling picture frames by removing the old paintings and cleaning up the frames and glass from surface dirt, ready for some new work.  Then I went through a folder of paintings and drawings from the last year or so.  Many of these pieces of work I had not considered worth framing and basically shoved them away in this folder.  I picked what I thought were the best of the bunch and matched them in size and style to the used frames, (which are still in good condition!).
In one afternoon I managed to frame and matt five paintings and this little drawing above. It really is amazing what a frame can do for a painting.  I am quite chuffed really, it was like instant mass production, paintings ready to hang, or better still, sell.

Wild weather Awana Beach.  16 x 20 acrylic on board.

This is a first attempt at a seascape. I have always avoided the subject because they looked so darn hard to paint.  The fact is this was a fun subject to do, I loved the misty background and faint land masses.
Perhaps it goes without saying that it was painted in the warmth and dry of the studio!

At the end of Kaitoki beach

Acrylic on board. 6 x 6 inches.

Okay, here we go. I have had some problems with my computer, which seems to be working now, so
getting back to small, not so daily, paintings.  This rather quick sketch of a favorite spot on the island has a nice loose spontanious feel, which is impossible to get when painting too carefully, I rather like it.