Even though we moved from Wellington almost four years ago we still have many friends and family there. The city has been waiting nervously for the big quake for some years -  hopefully that was it! My memories of the city are often of the coastline and harbour - the clouds scudding past in a northerly. But you can almost always find shelter behind a clump of flax to settle down with your icecream or coffee. I hope this painting brings back picnic memories to other ex Wellingtonians :) 
450x900mm oil on stretched canvas $900

After the excitement of the expo it is lovely to come back to the peace and quiet at home! This is a watercolour I've just finished  of the Travers River, at the south end of the lake.

It's that time of year again ..the second Nelson Art Expo kicks off on friday morning. Around 100 New Zealand artists will gather in Nelson for a joint three day exhibition. Last year there was an astounding array of beautiful work from sculptors, painters, jewelers and others ...and I'm sure this year will be even better. When you're working away in your own studio it's easy to become isolated from other artists , so it's great to get a chance to get together and celebrate everyone's hard work and talent. A big thank you to the hard working team who have organised this again. See you there! 

This painting is currently being auctioned to raise funds for Casting for Recovery - a charity which supports breast cancer patients by treating them to a trout fishing retreat. Anyone who has been through chemo or radiotherapy will understand how important it is to be able to step out of this for a break.  Breast cancer is something which affects so many people ....Please check out the auction at http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=611221373 and share it with everyone you know!!
thanks, Jan