"Mount Ruapehu" by Alfred Memelink

by Pete & Maryann James

We eagerly awaited this Paintaway due to the weird year, and it’s obligatory to say we are grateful for the opportunity to travel, meet, greet and share. When you suffer an affliction such as ours, it can be difficult to find a support group with empathy towards splashing dye onto parts of dead trees, so it’s really great to gather with fellow sufferers from around the country, to connect and commiserate, and above all to celebrate!

Charlotte Hird and her husband, Dean (seasoned ski hostel hosts) had arranged amazing accommodation at the Top ‘o the Bruce in the Taupo Ski Club Lodge club with hosts David and Maggie, and over at the Matamata Ski Club Lodge with host John who held us in thrall with stories of a hard, hi-jinksfilled skiing life. These clubs are snug with log fires, great bunk-rooms and large common room areas, most suitable as pop-up painting studios - an extra bonus, as it proved.

We arrived on Friday night after a ferry trip and a drive north on a beautiful day, taking photos at multiple viewpoints on the way. Early December in New Zealand is no guarantee of fine weather on a mountain and Saturday gave us a winter treat with all the weather you can imagine... including a magical snowfall. Numb fingers on the outside balcony for some, painting views through the weather, while others spent the day sketching along lower mountain trails, and of course the Chateau got a good dose of paint as well. I exploited my reservoir of photos from the previous day, alongside a roaring fire! Food and fellowship followed, (a huge high five to Charlotte & Dean for the meals over the weekend), along with what I find is one of the best things about a Paintaway - the evening show and tell. This can initially be intimidating for newbies, but having been to many safaris andm paintaways, I can say that the interest and support given is huge.

This shows in the amazing diversity and increasingly higher standard of paintings on the weekend’s walls. Sunday dawned clear and stunning. A short walk to Meads Wall with views north to Ngauruhoe saw the alpine scene dotted
with plein air painters. The fine day provided a crisp, amazing landscape - every single rock a painting subject in itself! Monday was another inside day for those still on the mountain with some impromptu lessons before another nourishing meal. Tired and happy painters carried out their Lodge chores prior to departing on Tuesday, as the weather delivered another buffeting. Paintaways are amazing - the landscapes we find, the friends we make, the food we share, the eclectic accommodations, the laughs. Oh yeah, and the painting is okay as well. Win, win, win! They must be great as so many newbies become regulars. If you haven’t been on one, try it - you’ll love it. You know you want to!