Laughter: The Artist's Best Medicine

Now they are both settled out of Auckland, Julie in Tairua and Tina in Pauanui and, along with their involvement with The Little Gallery in Tairua, things have led them back to art.  They will be sharing Julie’s studio space at 299 Main Road, Tairua, for the Mercury Bay Art Escape 2014.

“We are excited at the prospect of being involved and getting ready to show as much as possible. Although we work together regularly our styles are different,” says Tina.

Julie’s passion is watercolours and Tina’s Acrylic and mixed media but both take inspiration from their wonderful Coromandel surroundings.

Julie Cameron

What bought you back to art?

Coming to Hikuai Art Saturdays and staying with Tina

Who mentored you?

Both Paula McNeil and Jo Dalgety gave practical input, encouragement and ideas to improve texture, light and depth of my paintings.

What are you hoping to get out of your involvement with the Mercury Bay Art Escape?

Exposure for my name on the Coromandel

How would you like your art to develop?

My work is just evolving, especially in acrylics, now it is an exciting journey and the results are limitless.

How would you describe your work?  Each other’s work?

I admire Tina’s bold brush work and strong colours.

What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?

A masterpiece evolves – not always planned. Walking away and coming back with fresh thoughts and ideas works.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working mostly on the hills and landscapes around Tairua – colours, lights, movements of water and skies.

How do you know when a work is finished?

I don’t know when my work is finished, probably when Paula, Tina or Jo comment “leave it”

Tell us a fun fact about each other?

There are never any serious moments when painting with Tina, although occasionally we are both quiet and creative.

Tell me something you like about The Little Gallery in Tairua and why you chose to display your work there?

Tina encouraged me to talk to Paula and it all happened. I sold two paintings in the first 3 months of being in the Gallery – very exciting.

Tina Carey

What bought you back to art?

Moving to Pauanui gave me time to paint and I was inspired by the surroundings

Who mentored you?

Jo Dalgety and Paula McNeill have been great mentors.

What are you hoping to get out of your involvement with the Mercury Bay Art Escape?

I think involvement gives confidence and helps to get your name out there as being of an acceptable standard.

Which artists do you most admire and why?

I have had two workshops with Carole Shepheard and admire her ever changing style from works we have owned since the 70’s through to 90’s. Her current adventures with layering, shapes and mixed mediums inspire me to think out of the square.

How would you like your art to develop?

I would like to develop  better techniques with light and shadow and not worry about detail so much

How would you describe your work?  Each other’s work?

In working with Julie it has made me have more of a painting routine by setting aside time. I have pushed Julie into acrylics and I am hoping she will give me instruction towards getting into watercolour, which I find the hardest medium.

What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?

The works I am most proud of have evolved after the initial work, which I like, is put aside and then gone back to with fresh thinking

Tell me something you like about The Little Gallery in Tairua and why you chose to display your work there?

To have the chance to display works at the Little Gallery of Fine Arts Tairua is wonderful. To meet and have a working relationship with some of the other artists, have their comments and be inspired by understanding their work gives me the confidence and ability to grow. Some very complimentary comments by Michael Smither on a couple of my works was very exciting. High praise indeed to spur me on.

 

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