Kathy E Watson
New Zealand Gardens
After a day painting in the studio, I go for a wander round the garden and maybe a flower or plant catches my eye. I take it to my studio and use the paint left on my palette, together with a palette knife and small canvas to capture the beauty of my 'find' on these 6in x 6in small canvases. The initial spontaneous approach determines the freshness of the work I feel, which is then completed over the next few days. There are always several on the go at once!
'When Shadows Lengthen' 1500mm x 850mm, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
'Lakeside Walk, Hamilton Gardens'
'The English Garden, Hamilton Gardens'
The Te Parapara display in the wonderful Hamilton Gardens took my breath away when I visited the first time. It drew me in spiritually and visually. The pataka and the pattern of kumera planting told of the long history of cultivation in Kirikiriroa - images I have attempted to capture in this mixed media tondo work - together with the Matariki star cluster.
'New Beginnings' (the title) uses acrylic media, ti kouka leaves used in depicting the pataka, Japanese gampi paper and gold leaf on stretched canvas.