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.

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.

Such a lot has happened since the update.  Not just for me but for the country and for the world.  That mischievous messenger, Covid-19, has made itself felt in every nook and cranny of life.  I am hoping that enough people will heed the warnings and begin to concentrate on the health of the planet, first and foremost, and most urgently.  Covid-19 is surely a symptom of our disregard for Papatuanuku and our place within nature.  We are not separate from nature and the more we allow that assumption, the less enhanced our lives become.  Art is one way of blending in with the magnificence of this planet but even we artists can not just bury our heads in the sand.

After lockdown it became necessary for me to leave my studio.  The tumbleweeds were all but blowing through Harbour Street and although New Zealanders began moving around again, not many were finding their way up to my cold studio.  Further to this, winter made it more attractive to me to work from home.  And to this end, I have produced a reasonable body of painting and written work.

Something lovely that happened during these strange times; I was among a handful of local artists featured in the Oamaru Mail.  I have also had a poem published in the same newspaper.  I really appreciate the exposure that is given to myself and other local artists, not only for getting our work out there, but also, because art uplifts the lives of people and if ever there was a time for this, surely it is now.  What better than painting and poetry and stories, whether you are the artist, writer or the buyer.  Art uplifts us.

Yesterday I took my painting, Na Hinemoana, to the office of Liam Wairepo, local Labour candidate.  This is on loan up until the election, to reflect how Aotearoa is cradled and cherished within the arms and the heartbeat of the magnificent and now, beleaguered Pacific Ocean.  This was my inspiration to paint this onto canvas. I am trusting that Jacinda’s warm and human leadership will continue with this same nurturing quality.  All oceans have brought forth life and as Pacific people, we are now counting on this ocean to keep us separate from this pandemic, sadly sweeping the world.  I have always thought that this painting, Na Hinemoana, should be hung in a place that honors Aotearoa and all we stand for when at our very best, for it reflects the magical quality and beauty of these unique islands, that we all share.  

Mask up, stay safe and well.  Go Team Aotearoa!  
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Colette

This recently completed work PLAYTIME recieved Highly Commended at the 2020 Colin Wheeler Art Competition. 

- PAREIDOLIA is finished and two new works are underway - it must be spring! Not so easy to see in the photo but there are sprinkles of green-filled circles hidden amongst the black and white (towards the right of the painting) which gives an interesting effect.  Like all art, the lighting on the original work creates the last effect that the artist is looking to produce and can only be fully realised when viewing the real thing.