Artists Annie Hampstead, Beth Strickland and Colette O'Kane are excited to announce the opening of our new pop up gallery + store Creative Us at 167 Thames Street, Oamaru.

Featuring original paintings, prints, wall-hangings, scarves, and gifts there is something for everyone.

We would love to see you down at the gallery store, so drop in and say hi!

Creative US
167 Thames Street
Oamaru

OPENING HOURS:
WEEKDAYS   10AM - 4PM
SATURDAYS  10AM - 2PM

​CLOSED TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS 

Happy New Year to all.  Let us focus on all the joys of life, for misery is easily found if that is our desire. Nothing better than art and literature, in all its forms, to uplift us and reflect to us how life really can be reimagined.

I have been ridiculously busy with the book and with painting and occasionally finding a moment to be a little bit social – much of it in the way of the times: chatting via Messenger!  Not quite the same as having a tall glass of icy, lime filled G&T with friends on a sunny day, but a second-class substitute for busy fools like me.

Having moved into my new Oamaru house last June, time had to be taken out to set up and get going again.  I have a studio at the front of the house now and it is a joy to be painting in there.  My big easel is up and I have almost finished a major work of colour and whimsical imagination, 220x120cm.  I also have my signs sorted but time and energy have stopped me putting them out for a while, however, I will get back into routine very soon.

Other than these things, I am trying to organize some art space in a downtown Oamaru shop, along with a couple of other artists.  Will keep you updated on the progress – or not!  Fingers crossed.

​For now, ka  kite.

After a year of living and working back in Australia's Northern Territory, I returned to Aotearoa and completed the manuscript for ADULTERY An Artful Affair.

This book is published and available now from all good booksellers or by emailing me directly at [email protected]

Although the numbers attending the “Memories of Flight” Art Show, held at the Wigram Hotel, Christchurch, a little over a week ago now, were less than we had all hoped for, it was none-the-less an enjoyable event.  The finger-food and wine served throughout the day was delicious and enjoyed by everyone I spoke to.  Those who attended were generous in their appreciation of the work by all the artists.
 
I was able to beautifully display my work on a series of panels, boxed at either end.  This has inspired me to seek an exhibition space in a darkened room with my work, in comparison, fully lit.  The exhibition was held in the room that I understand, was once used as the officer’s mess back when this building was part of the air force barracks.  This room has some great windows, which, as the day lengthened, allowed the sun to peer over the top of the displays, and in the case of my work, created some wonderful sparkling effects as the light moved across the paintings.  
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I received the People’s Choice Award and fellow artist, friend and collaborator on my book, Frankie
Bakker, received the Platinum Award.

I finished Whimsy on Friday evening and had just posted it to my social media when it sold! There are only two works unsold from my Little Pieces series - you can view them on this site under the Paintings tab.

A selection of my works will be at exhibition from January 10th until February 7th 2021 at the wonderful Art  on Tyne Gallery, here in Oamaru. Original paintings and some limited edition prints will be available to purchase.