Newsletter 150 December 2012 - February 2013

The Diamond Jubilee Splash Exhibition - page 4 & 5 Exhibiting in India - Pavithra Devadatta - page 2 Watercolour New Zealand artists meet Royalty - page 3 Gisborne Artist, Adrian Cave - page 6 Tribute to Denis Robinson - page 6 Our Website- your opinion requested - page 6 Exhibition at the Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford - p 7 What’s Been Happening? Workshop reports - page 7 What’s ahead? Monthly Painting Group - Wellington and Kapiti Special MPG at Government House, Wellington - page 8 Christmas Party, exhibitions - page 7 & 8

(details on page 8)

Sun 2 Dec Kapiti MPG painting at Queen Elizabeth Park Sun 9 Dec Christmas Party 11.45am Jetty Café , Petone Details on page 8. 10am painting at west end of Petone Beach. Sun 16 Dec Wellington MPG at the Band Rotunda, Oriental bay

2013 Sun 27 Jan Wellington MPG painting at Evans Bay

Sun 3 Feb Kapiti MPG painting at Maungakotukutuku Scenic Reserve Sun 24 Feb Wellington MPG at Government House Sun 3 March Kapiti MPG painting at Karehana Bay

Our Diamond Jubilee ‘Splash’ exhibition for 2012 produced some beautiful paintings and we had many complimentary remarks. So thank you for all the assistance given to the committee in order for the exhibition to be accomplished. It was the inspiration of Claire Clark to have an exhibition of a difference. She worked from May driving the planning forwards and keeping liaison with the three guest artists. Nancy Tichborne, Sue Wickison and Susan Worthington, all botanic artists, created a wonderful display of excellence. But my congratulations go to the contributing artists of the society, enhancing the profile of watercolours in New Zealand. Prior to ‘Splash’ a small exhibition was held in Bowen House Gallery, Parliament Buildings. The 23 paintings were a showcase for our society.

During September I took a quick trip to Melbourne to view the “Napoleon” show at the National Gallery of Victoria. They have a major exhibition each year, drawing people to the city. This exhibition had a collection of paintings, jewellry, furniture, uniforms, swords etc. and an area on the country house of Napoleon and Josephine. Together they created wonderful style. I'm always impressed with the packed viewing public at the NGV.

The Watercolour New Zealand committee is reviewing the website, with the intention of displaying more paintings and having better communication systems, enabling membership to be fully informed. Please give us your feedback. See page 6.

Our Christmas Party is happening in Petone, so come and have lunch at the Jetty Café and paint prior if you wish. All the best for Christmas and a relaxing time at new year.

Helen Wilson, President

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 1

From the President In this issue

Dates for the Diary

Joint winners of the

Watercolour New Zealand

2012 Supreme Art Award

In the Sounds

by Dennis Greenwood

Old Woman

by Jimmy Chen

Pavithra Devadatta

Pavithra’s work is vibrant with the colour and movement of South India where she was born and brought up. She was originally trained by her artist father. She has been a resident of Wellington since 1991 and has developed her own unique style in watercolours. She sells work at the annual Affordable Art Show, now New Zealand Art Show, has exhibited at Parliament, charity art auctions, joint and solo exhibitions and galleries both in New Zealand and India. Pavithra served as Vice President of Watercolour New Zealand in 2010. At Splash 7 in October 2010, she won both the

People's Choice Award and the Innovation in Watercolour Award for her painting, The Soloist. She undertakes commissions for homes and businesses and her latest works are exhibited at her website www.kalanz.com and at cafés around Wellington. Pavithra describes the challenges of exhibiting in India. What started out as an experiment has grown into an annual tradition already three years old and counting. Jacky Pearson and I held our first joint exhibition in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India in September 2010, following an invitation by local watercolourist Swaroop Mukerji. The exhibition was held at the

Nakshatra Gallery and opened by the Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand. Jacky and I were on our way to other teaching and family commitments anyway so this exhibition en route with 'nothing to lose' seemed like a good

idea. But the exhibition was so well

received and the lessons learnt and contacts made were so encouraging that I decided to do the same in my own home town, Bangalore, the next year.

So in July 2011 I held a successful solo exhibition branded KALANZ (Kala means art in Sanskrit) at a prestigious five star hotel called The Leela Palace, thanks to my husband Paul's old university contact who helped in securing the venue. Although I look back at that success with a warm glow, I can never forget the nerve-racking time I had organising the exhibition from Wellington. The time difference for starters, then the venue's haphazard public relations arrangements that miraculously fell into place in the last minute, the temperamental press that needed constant reminders of the event but in the end put out a beautiful feature in the local newspaper that brought in the crowds and finally the anguish before opening night. All this left me with mixed feelings about hosting another exhibition.

But 2012 rolled around and my annual pilgrimage to India was due so I conveniently forgot about the cons and worked on the pros. I remembered that the local framer was reliable and very reasonable. So this

time I travelled light with paintings by Alfred Memelink, Adrienne Pavelka and my own work and called the framer on the day I arrived. The paintings were picked up from my local residence and dropped off at the exhibition venue all professionally framed in time for set up. This year the exhibition was held at the Whitefield Club in Bangalore in August. The locals loved the skilful work behind the beautiful New Zealand landscapes in watercolour that were on display. The press were on board and the exhibition was a reasonable success with local galleries showing some interest too.

Once you've over come the smells and the crowds and maybe a Delhi belly, there is a feast of inspiration for the hungry watercolourist in India. The colours of clothing, from the bright red shirt and polished brass arm band of porters at the railway station, to the parrot green sari and vermilion dot on the forehead of the vegetable vendor, with her old-fashioned scales and piles of colourful vegetables. The weather-worn face of a bullock cart owner and his beasts of burden. The shadows cast by a thatched roof in the midday tropical sun against a turquoise temple wall. Inspiration is right there, without venturing far. I do a lot of sketching while I am there as I have to keep my wits about me in public and cannot really spread out on the side of a crowded street and all streets are over crowded. I come back to the quiet of my father's studio to work on my compositions and then paint.

There is also the art market to explore, in spite of the local competition. What we have to offer as New Zealand artists is unique and always welcome. The key is to find the right venue, the right press reporter, the right framer, keep your overheads low, go with the flow and above all keep your cool and remember to have fun. Mind you, what worked this year may not always work the next year because this is India! I have learnt to enjoy the uncertainty and the new challenges each event brings. My drawback is that I can only afford to spend one month there every year when I go to visit my parents. However my contacts within the Indian art community and their awareness of the high quality of New Zealand watercolours are steadily growing. I hope these early sketches

of lessons learnt will materialise into beautiful compositions of successful exhibitions and enriching experiences for our kiwi watercolourists.

Plans for the 2013 exhibition in Bangalore are already underway following a new venue deal found this year. It's funny how each trip leaves just the right amount of enthusiasm required to fire up the next year's KALANZ.

May the stroke be with you!

Pavithra

Exhibiting in India

Pavithra Devadatta and Jacky Pearson in Kolkata in 2012

'Tango on Cuba Street' by Pavithra Devadatta

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 2

'Maharani Jindan Kaur' (1817-1863, Queen of the Punjab) by Pavithra

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 3

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall enjoyed a blue azure day during their walk on the Wellington Waterfront. Wellington member Ana Clulee and children of Capital City Preschool proudly presented their birthday card and flowers to Prince Charles. Three of our tutors, Shirley Sutton, Daniel Reeve and Jacky Pearson painted the colourful harbour scene while Claire Clark sketched them. The Prince, who is himself an accomplished watercolourist, received a birthday card from Jacky with a wet Wellington scene. He asked her how she achieved the effect of rain. Jacky divulged her technique and was thrilled that he was so genuinely interested. Shirley said “The atmosphere was fantastic. The tugs were a bright splash of colour with the Maori waka adding to the drama. I was swept up in the moment. I don’t remember what was said but they both commented favourably on my painting.“ Daniel: “What a blast! The 14th dawned bright and clear, perfect for painting. We started at 1:00 among joggers, tourists and workers on lunch break. I concentrated on the task and when I looked up thousands of people lined the boulevard and expectation was in the air. HRH made nice comments on my work, checked that I was using Winsor and Newton paints and refused my offer of a brush to add his mark to my painting! A very enjoyable once-in-a-lifetime experience!”

The Director of the Diamond Jubilee Royal Visit was delighted

that our society helped to highlight one of the Prince’s personal hobbies and enhance his happy, sunny birthday.

Royalty meets Watercolour New Zealand

Photo credit: Jonathan Cutts

By Royal Appointment

Editor, Sue Wild writes

In a hot and dusty campsite in Italy last July, I received an incredible phone call - an invitation to be the artist on the Royal Tour of New Zealand, appointed by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. I mumbled in astonishment about ‘privilege and honour’ and accepted immediately. “How crazy amazing!”

Queen Victoria always appointed an artist to record her tours. Prince Charles, as a keen painter himself, does the same. On earlier tours he has taken a British painter. This time he decided to appoint a local artist for the Australian and New Zealand parts of his tour.

I practised daily, working particularly on speed sketching. I visited the venues and locations on the tour programme to familiarise myself with the surroundings and possible positioning. I refined my kit, selecting paper, sketchbooks, tripod, support and bag. I sewed a splendid ’mobile sketcher’s pinny’, with pockets for small palette, brushes, pens, pencils, camera and even water. (I have applied for a patent!) I planned my clothing, learned the correct form of address, perused the Prince’s website and read the history of England! And finally, there I was,

in the welcoming party on the tarmac at Whenuapai.

The Royal Tour Party is a wonderful group. Every member, from Prince and Duchess to valet and logistics team, moves with impressive speed and efficiency, while finding the time to care for each other and everyone around them with warmth and lively British wit!

I felt proud of my country - the pure delight on a face that had glimpsed the Duchess or danced with the Prince, the glorious display on the lawn at Government House, the thrill of school kids, the joy of volunteers ….. even the sun was celebrating.

Now I start working with sketches and photos to produce a set of my best paintings. I have explained at every moment along the way that New Zealand is brimming with excellent

watercolour painters and I am highly honoured to be the one to get ‘the call’.

Shirley, Jacky and Daniel - three elated artists

Catching the moment!

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 4

Diamond Jubilee ‘Splash’ 2012

The opening

The Diamond Jubilee 'Splash' opening on 12 October 2012 was brilliant. The formal invitations set the scene for a glamorous, stylish, and very successful evening attended by 500 members and guests. Alan Collins, an octogenarian member, felt that it was a return to the 'old days' with an opening held in a grand manner. His Excellency the Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae delivered a speech, toasted the Queen and opened the exhibition. High above, along the main wall, a beautiful silver frieze proclaimed that that this was an event that was celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

This was indeed Watercolour New Zealand’s most regal ‘Splash’. Buckingham Palace had sent a letter of best wishes for the exhibition and this was framed and hung alongside a delightful replica of a watercolour painted in 1953 for Prince Charles when he was 4 years of age. This was his Invitation to the Coronation of the young Queen and featured toy soldiers and golden lions. Everyone was inspired by the artworks of guest artists Nancy Tichborne, Sue Wickison and Susan Worthington who are all artists of international acclaim. The Highgrove Florilegium, comprising watercolours of Prince Charles’ garden at Highgrove, was resplendent in two blue velvet show cases. Women wore lovely dresses, men had smart ties, City Jazz provided great music, the Academy galleries looked beautiful, wine flowed and the evening buzzed with excitement as every contributing artist had the opportunity to meet the Governor-General and greet other artists and friends. Watercolours and pottery in the Ceramicus12 exhibition enhanced the exhibition with 27 paintings sold during the evening. The Watercolour New Zealand Supreme Award winning paintings by Jimmy Chen and Dennis Greenwood were admired.

In his speech the Governor-General drew on his military background and paid tribute to the work of the war artists, one of whom he later met in person. Robin Kay had been a WWII war artist. After the formalities the Governor-General asked if he could see more of the paintings and so he was discreetly led around the exhibition and, to one artist’s delight, he purchased a painting.

The opening of Diamond Jubilee ‘Splash’ was a highlight of the Wellington Arts’ calendar in 2012 and a great night for the Art scene in New Zealand.

The Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae opens the exhibition

The season

The exhibition season continued to hold excitement as we watched the sales rising steadily with 54 artworks sold. The daily demonstrations were very well attended. On Saturday 13 October we invited all visitors to a Royal High Tea of scones and jam and cucumber sandwiches during talks by the three guest artists. Impressed with the turnout we wondered if many had responded to the ‘Free Event’ listing we had scored in the Dominion Post that morning. But when asked the audiences named a wide range of sources from the Dominion Post, to the Otago Girls High School Old Girls network (supporting Nancy), articles on local artists in local newspapers, Susan Worthington’s interview on Radio New Zealand, members receiving Watercolour New Zealand newsletters, and through Academy emails to members ie the audience had been attracted by a wide range of media promotion.

The achievements

Watercolour New Zealand has received many tributes congratulating us on this exhibition from artists, guests and visitors. The Watercolour New Zealand Committee put in extra effort in 2012 to ensure that the Diamond Jubilee ‘Splash’ successfully contributed to the community celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee in New Zealand. Achievements are that: the Governor-General accepted an invitation to open the exhibition; Watercolour New Zealand sent copies of 2012 WNZ Newsletters to HRH The Prince of Wales; Addison Publications of London air freighted a copy of The Highgrove Florilegium for the opening; a larger exhibition catalogue was produced by Jenny Dickson and included several photographs of paintings selected from photos submitted with entry forms; and the Diamond Jubilee emblem and exhibition title was emblazoned on the gallery wall by Glenda Leete in silver lettering 1.2 metres high. With so many cameramen and women in action a Facebook website sprang up and you can check out the event at www.facebook.com/WatercolourNewZealand

The Committee’s endeavours went beyond the exhibition itself and included requests to the Diamond Jubilee Office for opportunities for watercolourists to paint for HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. This shared passion was recognized and three Watercolour New Zealand artists, Dan Reeve, Shirley Sutton and Jacky Pearson were painting en plein air at Frank Kitts Park during the Royal walkabout on the Wellington waterfront on November 14. Government House has also agreed to allow an MPG to be held in the gardens on 24 February 2013. Details of this event are on page 8.

As members you embraced the Diamond Jubilee as a special celebration and a record number of 127 artists submitted over 300 artworks from all over New Zealand. The concept of one third of the artworks being couriered to and from the exhibition was staggering. It added an extra item to the workload to be planned for. On Collection day a team of 15 members packed 34 consignments.

Thanks

A special thanks to Creative New Zealand for funding, also to the French Art Shop for its People’s Choice award won by Jimmy Chen for his painting ‘Hat Man’, Gordon Harris and Addison Publications of London for their support. As the Event leader I would like to add my personal thanks to the following special people:- Dianne Taylor, Martin Jenkins, Nigel Frith and guest artists Nancy, Sue and Susan - who all shared the dream with me from February 6, Waitangi Day, when the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was formally announced by the Governor-General. My special thanks to my husband Tom who let the housework be overlooked for 8 months and to all the committee and volunteers who supported this event.

Claire Clark

Vice President

Watercolour New Zealand

Diamond Jubilee ‘Splash’ Exhibition

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 5

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter Page 6

What’s Been Happening? A Gisborne Artist

Adrian Cave A special moment in the busy days at the exhibition was meeting a member from Gisborne, Adrian Cave. Born in Gisborne, Adrian lives on the beautiful farm, adjacent to the Eastwood Hill Arboretum at Ngatapa, that has been his life’s work. Equally important for him has been his hobby of painting. He has been a member of the Gisborne Art Society since the 1960s, exhibiting and tutoring there regularly. “We have many talented artists in our region.”

Adrian painted in oils for ten years. Then, after experimenting with watercolour and becoming frustrated, he joined Australian artist David Taylor for a week’s tuition, starting from scratch. He has now made five trips with David Taylor and others with Alvaro Castagnet, Ross Patterson and Charles Sluga. He has journeyed to France, Croatia, twice to Prague and thrice to Venice. Adrian’s wife, Mary, accompanies him on painting trips and together they have made many close friends who love to journey to New Zealand and stay on the farm out west of Gisborne.

Adrian prefers to paint on site and always aims to make a ‘proper painting’, rather than just a sketch. He gives himself three hours to complete the work. He chooses his subjects for the light. ”Something boring can become magic in the right light.” He uses Arches 300 gsm in block form to avoid the need to carry boards and tape. He frames his own work.

Adrian remembers with a wry smile, when he was painting on the waterfront in Venice among the crowd of tourists. He follows David Taylor’s advice to avoid looking up and becoming engaged in conversation. He was feeling “pretty good” about his work. A male tourist watched over his shoulder in silence for some time, then, without a word to Adrian, walked off saying to his wife “That man’s a retired farmer”!

Jeanne Macaskill’s workshop

Robyn Eastgate-Manning reports

We were very fortunate to have the renowned Jeanne Macaskill conduct a workshop on Contemporary Art. Jeanne came to us from the envied position of having worked with and under many famous artists in Europe and England, notably sculptor Henry Moore, the American Expressionists, and New Zealanders Toss Woollaston, Colin McCahon and John Drawbridge. With this wealth of experience and her London Art School training, Jeanne stressed the importance of design and the five elements of good art as more important than traditional training, and provided many examples in covetable books from her own library.

We then worked through exercises using colour, comparing bright to dull shades, giving colours musical resonance and creating a musical range of colours. We worked on the depiction of space through gradations in size, tone, overlapping, placement and flattened Eastern style. Moving on to the design of an image, we grappled with depicting an abstract image based on the "golden mean" proportions, and finally spent time in groups evaluating modern art works based on a set of criteria. This was a useful tool for critique of our own paintings, and appreciating more difficult abstract paintings from a technical as well as emotional viewpoint.

Although we didn't produce our own painting at the end of the day, Jeanne had generously shared her accumulated knowledge of art and helped us broaden our perspective on what constitutes a good painting. Much food for thought.

Stan Chan’s Workshop

Susan Worthington reports

Stan is a charming relaxed tutor who worked tirelessly to meet the expectations of each of the artists in his Chinese brush painting class. The first day started with extensive demonstrations on how to use Chinese paint and brushes to paint a wide range of subjects. Stan made it look deceptively easy. His skilful use of different sized bushes quickly put down images of bamboo, goldfish, dogs and flowers and leaves on to the Chinese rice paper while all the time enriching his instruction with interesting bits of information about China, its culture and the symbolism used in Chinese painting.

By the end of the second day everyone was producing good results with a form of painting which was challenging and exciting. If you have not tried Chinese painting I would recommend it as a way of taking you out of your comfort zone and giving your watercolour paintings a work out. It is a very direct way of painting which means that you have to watch what is happening on the paper and let the painting have a life of its own. So, thank you Stan, it was enjoyable and rewarding.

Watercolour New Zealand Website

Your suggestions please Your committee would like to receive your comments and suggestions on how the website can be improved in order to display more paintings and enhance communication with members and serve your needs . Also, would you like to see more paintings on our website? Please write your comments and post to Watercolour New Zealand, P O Box 33088, Petone, Lower Hutt 5046, N.Z.

Morning Sunrise, Ngatapa Valley by Adrian Cave

Mount Aspiring by Adrian Cave

New Members welcome! We are the national society for watercolour artists and welcome new members from home and abroad. Membership includes our quarterly newsletter, workshops, social activities, exhibitions and discounts at art stores. Annual subscription: Member - $30 Couple - $40 Student (enrolled) - $15

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President: Helen Wilson +64 4 479 6882 helenwilson1@xtra.co.nz Vice President: Martin Jenkins +64 4 473 2235 apdc@paradise.net.nz Vice President: Claire Clark +64 4 236 7928 tandc.clark@clear.net.nz Treasurer: Michael Bain +64 4 934 2271 mgbain@xtra.co.nz

Please post with subscription to Watercolour New Zealand P O Box 33088, Petone, Lower Hutt 5046, New Zealand

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 7

Denis Robinson

A tribute from Murray Stuart The art scene in New Zealand has been saddened by the death in August of Denis Robinson.

Denis lived life to the full. His website describes him well: "Denis sampled all of life as if it were a fine wine and appreciated art in all its many forms". His

funeral service was a tribute to this. After the service the funeral director said to me “What an interesting man. I wish I had known him".

Denis’ contribution to art was huge. Most of us knew Denis through his involvement with art and his art books, but Denis’ involvement in art had been a long and varied one. He trained in art and design in Wellington. He later became a tour guide to the art museums in Europe and on returning to New Zealand he established a design office/studio in Wellington. He later moved to Auckland where he managed prominent art galleries and initiated the inaugural Auckland Art Fair. Denis also served as a judge for many of the country’s art shows.

Denis published several art books. His book “A Painted Country” is the biggest selling book on New Zealand art and is on its 4th reprint. He had recently been told his books were so popular he was now a “Brand”.

Denis paid watercolour artists a great compliment by choosing to produce a book on New Zealand watercolour art. This book

was a source of pride and joy to us watercolourists. It not only lifted the profile of watercolour in New Zealand, it gave us a great opportunity to promote our own art. Denis also recognised the contribution of Wellington watercolourists with his mention that Wellington seems to be the capital of watercolour in New Zealand, no doubt in

part due to the efforts of Watercolour New Zealand.

Art New Zealand Magazine of Summer 2011 stated "Denis Robinson is arguably the country's best selling art author”. I would add “Without any doubt at all, Denis was the best friend, advocate and promoter New Zealand artists have ever had”.

Denis will be sadly missed.

An Invitation to Exhibit

The Percy Thomson Gallery in Stratford, Taranaki is

hosting an exciting exhibition in February 2013 - “The Wonderful World of Watercolour Aotearoa”

The Gallery is inviting watercolour artists from throughout New Zealand to take part. Sue Morton, Director, says “We will endeavour to show a wide range of styles and techniques to demonstrate the versatility and power of this method of painting. You might like to check out our website and Facebook page to see what we are about! If you are interested and wish to know more please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Director: Sue Morton Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford 06 765 0917 www.percythomsongallery.org.nz

What’s Ahead? A Tribute

Welcome to new members ….

Chrissy de la Chardin • Ian Logan • Aureen Strong Timothy Evans • Irina Rodionova • Eric Dyne • Dora Smith

Susan Curtis • Trevor Hughes • AM Thompson Colin MacIntosh • Margaret Bergman

Thanks for joining us

Monthly Painting Groups - ‘MPG’

Come out on a Sunday in each month and enjoy outdoor painting in the good company of our members. At Wellington sessions a tutor provides a demonstration.

Meet at 9.45am (Wellington) or 10am (Kapiti), paint, then lunch together at a nearby café. For queries, phone the coordinator on the number below. Take that number with you on the day to phone or text if you can’t find us. Check the weather forecast before leaving to decide whether you need a woolly scarf or a sunhat! If in doubt check with the coordinator before setting out as the weather can vary from district to district. Occasionally the painting morning may have to be cancelled or postponed if the weather is moody.

Wellington Group 9.45 am Coordinator: Martin Jenkins 04 479 7608 / 027 604 7329 Last Sunday in each month

Date Tutor Painting location and meeting place Café

16 Dec 12 Joy de Geus The Band Rotunda, Oriental Parade, Wellington Vista Café, Oriental Parade

27 Jan 13 Shirley Sutton Evans Bay Marina , Wellington Café Greta, 326 Evans Bay Parade

24 Feb 13 Dan Reeve Government House, Wellington - details below Picnic on the lawn

Kapiti Group 10 am Coordinator: Grahame Harris 04 905 1668 or 027 7568545 First Sunday in each month

Date Leader Painting location and meeting place Café

2 Dec 12 Grahame Harris Queen Elizabeth Park, meet at end of road close to beach Lambas Café, Raumati South village

3 Feb 13 Grahame Harris Maungakotukutuku Scenic Reserve - meet at turn-off to the reserve, east side of Valley Road (clearly sign-posted)

Thermos and snack for a picnic

3 Mar 13 Grahame Harris Karehana Bay, Plimmerton Vella Café, Steyne Ave. Plimmerton

What’s Ahead?

Exhibitions and Events

"Mainland" exhibition New paintings of the South Island by Jan Thomson. Venue: Gallery Frames, Khandallah, Wgtn. Opens 22 November at 6pm. Runs until Christmas Eve.

Sale of paintings, prints and cards by Jacky Pearson Venue: Jacky’s studio - 230 Muritai Road, Eastbourne. Weekend 8- 9 December, 10am-4pm each day

The Percy Thomson Gallery, Stratford, Taranaki - February 2013 - see details on page 7.

MPG at Government House, Wellington

DATE: Sunday 24 February 2013 LOCATION: Government House, Wellington. For information go to http://gg.govt.nz/government-house/house GATES OPEN: Basin Reserve entrance gates will be open for 15 minutes from 9.45am – 10am. Please announce yourself on the intercom. Then drive on. If the gates are closed please announce yourself on the intercom. You will be admitted if you have provided an RSVP. MEETING POINT: Proceed up the main drive. Stop to unload painting gear at the pathway at the bottom of the North Lawn. PARKING: Follow the main drive behind Government House and park in front of the Visitor Centre. PROGRAMME: Painting demonstration on the North Lawn 10.00am -10.30am. Painting 10.30 am -12 midday. Picnic on the Lawn from 12 midday to 12.45pm. All cars to exit Government House grounds by 1pm. PAINTING LOCATIONS: You are free to paint anywhere in the grounds. TUTOR: Daniel Reeve DRESS CODE: Smart casual PICNIC: Bring rug and sun umbrella; BYO champagne, wine or juice; nibbles for a shared lunch – perhaps strawberries, bacon & egg pie, cucumber sandwiches, Devonshire scones. CANCELLATION: If the weather is bad the event will be cancelled. RSVP Please email Martin Jenkins apdc@paradise.net.nz by Wed. 20 February with names of those who will be attending.

The Watercolour New Zealand Christmas Party has moved to the beach for 2012

Join us on Sunday 9 December at 11.45am at the Jetty Café, 160 The Esplanade, Petone, overlooking the beach.

Car Park adjacent. There will be Christmas crackers, starters, then lunch with all the Christmas trimmings.

$30 per person. Partners are very welcome. There will be an untutored painting session at the western end of Petone Beach (Hutt motorway side), commencing

at 10am until 11.45am. RSVP please email Claire Clark tandc.clark@clear.net.nz

Watercolour New Zealand Newsletter www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz Page 8

Kate Booth wins the lucky spot prize from a passing seagull.

MPG ain’t always easy!