Exhibition Opening Night

About this exhibition

Karen Vernon
I believe we are most affected by the sense of sight. What we take in visually affects us mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Therefore, it is of great importance that we look upon art which will nourish and uplift us, stimulate our imagination and creativity.

I have been painting for approximately 30 years, a new doorway opened for me about 15 years ago when I Met Mike Nettmann and joined his class along with Win and Judith. He taught me how to let go of reality and introduced me to abstract, and surrealism, now I use all 3 styles.

Win Stringer
These paintings were started during  the 2020 lockdown and although I was still teaching my classes from home, I found that I could programme regular painting times into my day.

The title ‘Falling to Pieces’ might have reflected  how we originally felt about being isolated in our bubble but we got in to a routine and were more than happy to reach out  through  Facebook, WhatsApp, and a range of digital media.

My main focus in my art is to explore contrasts within my work such as lines, shapes, colours, scale and textures.

In this series I have used acrylic paint with some mixed media. The effects come from some planning and some reliance on the incidental.

I have been teaching art for 40 years in the South Island and here in Northland.  My passion is working with students and seeing them growing in confidence by giving them the skills to understand and appreciate their ability to create.

Judith Fenton
I have lived at Tapuaetahi Beach for 22 years and paint the places where the land, sea and sky meet. I have studied wood carving with Nopera Rihari and he introduced me to the kowhaiwhai patterns which I paint on locally sourced palm pods.