Getting towards the End

May 1 2023

Cross that Lonely River is the last painting in my Hokianga series. I am dedicating this painting to my neighbour mamushka who passed away last night. The title of this painting is a reference to a beautiful gospel song that reflects on our last journey in life when we cross that lonely river between life and death and in that transition our being softens, as we let go of any harshness or lingering resentments or regrets.

Remain Here with Me is my second to last painting and again the title of the painting is a reference to a song that expresses the feeling of wanting to be close to someone when death is near. The painting is an expression of that incredibly special bond between Mother and Child.

Although officially there are still 2 weeks left, my heart is longing to go back home. My brother-in-law is very unwell and preparing for the end, our lovely neighbour's mum has passed away in her sleep last night and I've shed a stream of tears as I will miss her babbling to the plants, cats and Koha when she was pottering in the garden. She was surely one of our quartet's biggest fans and came to every concert with such enthusiasm and appreciation. I want to sing for her and for Irina on her final journey and I want to be back home with my lovely darling, our dog and our community.

I also feel that I have achieved what I wanted to achieve which is create 10 original paintings in response to the Hokianga. It is very interesting to see the development of my work during the last 3 - 4 weeks from bright vibrant colours to a much more soft, dimmed, nostalgic palette. Some of the works give me such a strong feeling that I haven't experienced before in response to my own work, especially the two paintings presented above..

This painting is something completely different although its title - Little Boxes on the Hillside - is another song reference that those of us that are mature in years will certainly remember, ha ha. The image is loosely inspired by the view of Rawene when on the ferry to or from Kohukohu.The village looks like a collection of pretty coloured boxes that starkly contrast with the greyness of the skies and the harbour. The weather appears to have a preference for rain, storm and mist, draining the environment of colour and perhaps vibrancy and in the 3 1/2 weeks I have been here I can count the sunny days on one finger!

As I am preparing for the exhibition some of the major sponsors amongst you have opted for the "First choice and 10% discount" reward. I will shortly send an email to you with a link to the Hokianga series on my website and you can have a good look and if there is a painting you would like to buy I will offer you a 10% discount and will makes sure that that painting will not sold during the exhibition at the Waka gallery at the end of my residency (May 12 - June 8) by putting a red sticker underneath it.

Thank you all for your support and I hope this blog has been interesting for you to read and see what I've been up to. Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa