The Featured Artist series is run by my local gallery, the Otago Art Society over summer. We pack up our stuff and move into the gallery to work for a week. I always find it quite invigorating working in a gallery environment, a nice change from the kitchen bench anyway. Over Summer the gallery has a lot of visitors so it’s a chance to talk to people and show what I do.

This year (as I have the last couple) I set up with good friend and very clever landscape artist Lorna Allan, sharing one of the rooms. Our work is very different as is our working styles (Lorna thoughtful and measured in her approach, me, well I can be chaotic, jumping on ideas like a mad thing.)

Lorna Allan, friend and gallery buddy this week.

Where we meet is in our appreciation of all art, caring about people, and loving life with all its interesting bits. We had more than a few giggles and managed to make some good progress on our art too. Two other artists were in the next room, Wen Li and Raimo, so the atmosphere was quite buzzy as we checked in to see what they were up to.

It’s been fascinating to watch Lorna’s progress over the week, subtle differences in colour, gradually built up for a specific look. I’d be tempted to say ‘near enough, the tree can just be bright, maybe the sunlight is popping through a hole in that vast mountain’, which is why I’m not a landscape painter.

My setup (I look slightly deranged, but that’s ok)

The Dunedin railway station, home of the OAS gallery is an iconic building and gets a lot of tourists, so it’s a great opportunity to discuss art with visitors from all over the world. I am in awe of people who can speak more than one language, even a little, who can say, in English ‘sorry I don’t speak much English’, while I’m still using gestures and miming to communicate.

In between chatting, I managed to get a lot done, it helps not to have any of the ‘at home’ distractions, no washing to put out, dishes, deciding to go for a walk, just full days of making.

I had a few things I wanted to get done, some small works for the OAS, and a couple of bigger pieces for upcoming shows. With Christmas fast approaching it was a good opportunity to get a good amount of work done before the holiday break.

I particularly wanted to get another big wall- hung lizard made, I do love making these big lizards with their elaborate tails! Made some good progress on it too.

A few works headed off to new homes, which was pretty cool, I love how, especially with the small furry artworks, the customer carries them up to the counter like a new pet!

I tried making an Orangutan (on request from a grandchild) and first attempt looked like this orangutan had just crawled through Chernobyl after maybe 40 years wandering the desert. Not quite the look I was after, Kind of like him anyway and have called him Cliff.

It’s very validating when you meet people who stop for a long conversation and really ‘get’ you work. Sometimes when you work alone a lot, there’s no one to bounce ideas off, so it’s very invigorating to discuss with others who really get your vision and have ideas to share with you.

So, I finished the week feeling very tired but happy and accomplished.

Please with how the wall-hung lizard is progressing.

Now, as I start the run-up to Christmas, I have gifts to get, things to organize, and an orangutan to make that won’t give children nightmares.

Featured Artist 2025

Bits and pieces