Nelson Suter Art Society

to promote and encourage the cultivation and production of work in the visual arts

I have always had an interest in art and in drawing, but work and family have kept me busy. Three years ago, with our family all grown up, I made the decision to take a leap, cut back on my working hours, and make art much more of a focus.

Living in the Nelson Tasman region, surrounded by the mountains, with a constantly changing view of the sea and sky, is an inspiration for my art. I am fortunate to be able to go on many sailing adventures, exploring the Abel Tasman, Durville Island and the Marlborough Sounds. I also love to explore our local environment, walking in the park, biking down to the estuary, and enjoying watching how the light and landscape changes with the seasons. These photographs provide the reference material for many of my paintings.

My preferred medium are watercolours and oils. I love the richness and intensity of oils, and the vibrancy and immediacy of watercolours. While I enjoy exploring new areas with my art, I have a particular love of painting landscapes. Landscapes can conjure up strong feelings in the viewer, and it’s the emotional connection with the viewer that I am particularly interested in.

My background in early childhood education continues to influence my approach to life and to art. I have an ongoing interest in children’s book illustrations, and I see this also as an influence on my painting style. A recent achievement has been the co-creation (along with my partner) of a children’s picture book – Manaaki and te Marama.

 

I am looking forward to connecting further with the Nelson art community through the NSAS.