Watercolour New Zealand Patron
My first recollection of life is drawing a mural with wax crayons on my newly painted bedroom walls,
and later my school books were liberally illustrated as was any blank surface.After 21 years as a
graphic artist and illustrator, a fortuitous meeting in Canada with Bill Braden, the owner of the
Yukon Gallery, was the advent of a new art direction and an erratic income.
My early paintings were detailed and illustrative with a limited palette and although satisfying and
successful at the time, I always felt motivated to simplify and emphasise the effects of the skys
rhythms and the light on land and reflected water. My policy was to avoid being influenced by other
artists, theories and styles from books or videos until I needed inspiration. Austen Deans was that
initial inspiration with his beautiful clear colourful wash technique.
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A weekend workshop with him back in 1986 made me aware of the grandeur, the light and the colours in our
Southern landscape. As well as being a challenge, watercolours create their own unexpected (and
sometimes awful) surprises but controlling such a wayward medium is so satisfying.I now prefer to work
on site at every opportunity or from line and wash sketches in my visual diary.
Since 1980, I have participated in many group and solo exhibitions, invited to be a guest artist, and
featured in two art publications: NZ's favourite artists 2 and NZ in watercolour. Highlights have been
winning art awards in Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru and Ashburton; invitations to exhibit at the Museum
of Watercolour in Mexico and Watercolour NZ in Wellington; and tutoring art tours to Norfolk Island and
the Flinders Ranges in Australia.
One of the best decisions l ever made was to join the Watercolour New Zealand family back in 1994. What
a life-changing, happy decision that was. Over the years, through exhibiting and tutoring, many
friendships and generous creative souls have enhanced my life. Alfred Memelink, John Toft, Sue Wild and
Pavithra Devadatta, just to mention a few.
l have always had an enduring passion for watercolours. It probably suits a lot of our personalities
exciting, innovative, unpredictible and not easily controlled!
l would like to pay tribute to the many members of Watercolour New Zealand who have generously
contributed their time and talent on the Committee, organising workshops, exhibitions and Paintaways.
Watercolour New Zealands focus on promoting artistic ability rather than marketing is to be applauded. I
am very proud to be your Patron.
Read an interview with
ADRIENNE PAVELKA BY SUE WILD
