"Armer’s Beach", Kaikoura by Brian Baxter

Review: Good times and autumn colours at the Kaikōura Paintaway

We had a long weekend to paint, enjoy the scenery in Kaikoura and the surrounding area and each other’s company. Paintaways are for everyone. Kaikoura is a seaside village on the east coast of the South Island with spectacular mountains, coastal scenery, boats, birds, seals, farmland and the ANZAC parade.

The autumn Paintaway in Kaikōura was attended by 46 arsts all keen to paint the mountains, rocks, sea or rivers. However, when we arrived on Friday we were confronted with mist and joked about painting fog! We gathered at St Joseph's Hall, our evening venue for the next four days, and co-ordinator, Pete James, ran us through the plan. It was a great chance to catch up with old friends and to meet newcomers. We were served an amazing meal with dessert of brownie and three flavours of homemade ice cream!

On Saturday we woke to sunshine and gathered along the esplanade to paint sea, rocks and the magical broody sky. At the end of the day the masterpieces were shared in the hall. Pete de-briefed us and handed out chocolate fish to those who had entertaining incidents to relate. Later we ate a delicious meal at the Whaler together as a group.

Sunday’s location was the old wharf on the peninsular where many passers-by stopped to watch us work.
Again, the evening show-and-tell revealed a variety of captured scenery.

By day four, everyone was well versed with choosing painting pals and another wall full of outstanding watercolours evolved. This evening was our traditional fish and chips night followed by a birthday celebration at the wonderful home of Larry and Mitsuyo.

We were invited to paint from their balcony the next day. The night s southerly had passed through leaving a clearance, revealing the snow-covered peaks which proved a compulsory challenge.

Non-painting partners had a great time following their own interests - sewing, knitting, reading, photographing, biking, tramping – and admiring the flourish of watercolours. This event was very well organised and if you would like to attend next year, stay tuned.

by Lynda Scott (1 of 6 from Ashburton)

Each evening we displayed the days work for all to share. The buzz of appreciation when the paintings went up was thrilling. Over 20 painngs were sold in our pop-up exhibition at St Joseph’s Hall.