When travelling recently in New Zealand, we visited the Waiotapu Thermal area and within this was a pool called Artists Palette – well, what a perfect subject matter for a painting. This is just one of the completed paintings based on this wonderful area.
Category: Blog
Keeping up the Creativity in my Taupo Lockdown
Its certainly been a long time since I’ve written a blog but now seems to be an ideal time to kick start that habit again.
A little bit of background …. Peter and I left Greece at the end of January for a trip to Los Angeles, and for me then onto Sydney and New Zealand. All went well until it was time for my return to LA to meet up with Peter, celebrate his Mum’s 91st birthday and then head for the desert for a bit of exploration and sketching (for me anyway) among the wonderful desert rocks in Arizona and Utah. Covid-19, which was something happening only in China when we left, had taken off on its devastating path, which led to my flight to LA being cancelled. Peter tried to come and join me, and the day before his flight the NZ Govt restricted arrivals to only residents, so he was unable to get on his flight. He did finally manage to get back to Greece, and after ending his 14 day isolation was very happy to be able to get into his daily walks along the beach.
I was very lucky to be holed up in Taupo with a lovely friend from way back, Christina who is so generously shared her house with me. We did lots of lounging about, like everyone else worldwide I imagine. I don’t usually travel with much in the way of painting materials, particularly when visiting family and friends, but did thankfully throw in my trusty sketching pencil case and White Knight watercolour paints. I also managed to get 2 watercolour pads, some coloured inks and a tube of gesso in Auckland, when I had no idea of the severity of things.
Below is an example of what I created in Lockdown in Taupo, which was totally inspired by walk around the lakeside. When things eased a little, I went to Hawkes Bay and stayed with lovely friends and family there.
I did finally get back to Koroni after many cancelled flights in mid July, and have since been enjoying the summer sunshine, though its been a little hot at times.
Morning Calm, Koroni
Photos taken in the mornings of the lovely harbour in Koroni usually capture the beautifully calm waters of the bay, stretching across to the Mani Peninsula in the distance. It’s not necessarily so calm later in the day!
Details of this painting can be found in Gallery – Greece.
Details of this painting can also be found in Gallery – Oceans.
Cobalt Dreams
It’s always tricky to interpret an abstract idea. To me this has the suggestion of water with rocks and distant hills. But you may well see something completely different!
Details of this painting can be found in Gallery – Abstracts.
Snapshot of Koroni
June 2018
This painting is portraying, in simple form, the small Greek town in the Peloponnese, where I currently spend a good deal of each year. Koroni, like a lot of small coastal towns in Greece, has a lovely buzzing harbour, with whitewashed buildings spilling down from the surrounding hills.
The painting is in acrylic, and in a new technique for me, as I explore different ways of capturing more abstract landscapes.
Details of this painting can be found in Gallery – Greece.
Reflections of Europe, Manly, Sydney – March 2018
Ocean Rhythms, Manly, Sydney – January 2018
Back from Fishing, Skopelos
Another small painting done whilst staying in Skiathos in July. The photo reference was taken in the neighbouring island of Skopelos. It’s so good to see these traditional fishing boats still have a place in a harbour full of yachts.
Details of this painting can be found in Gallery – Greece.
Mother Ocean, Curl Curl, Sydney – February 2017
This was a thoroughly enjoyable exhibition, firstly because it was combined with my eldest son, James’ wonderful photography, and secondly because my paintings were in a totally different direction from what I usually paint. The Creative Space in Curl Curl, Sydney, is a large and beautifully presented exhibition space and we were able to use it not only to promote our paintings and photographs, but also to tell the story of the importance of saving our beautiful oceans and marine life.
For this exhibition, I had created a new series of paintings of Australian waves and abstract ocean patterns. This was a totally new direction for me – from the structural forms of European buildings (although usually wonky!) to the curves and exciting formation of waves and the ocean, not to mention a totally new colour palette.
Art Weekly 179 – Sicilian Siesta
14th September 2017
I love wandering along the streets of Italy during siesta time when things are generally quiet and you can appreciate the architecture, although admittedly without the bustle of ‘life’ and with shutters down! This painting is loosely based on a stay in Taormina in Sicily. I have taken a few liberties with the colours of the buildings, and I suspect the street wasn’t quite as deserted as this!
If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you’d rather deal with me direct, please email me at jackie@jackiesherwood.com.
Sicilian Siesta
Price: AUD$ 90.00
Size: 21 x 15cm
(Postage and handling included)