Cheviot is a small village, north of Christchurch, near the eastern coast with views from the mountains to the sea. We had a long weekend to paint, enjoy the scenery at St Anne’s lagoon, Mt Beautiful vineyard, Gore Bay and talented company.

Autumn colours at Cheviot PaintAway

by Libby Kemp

Watercolour New Zealand’s Autumn Paintaway was centred in the small agricultural town of Cheviot an hour south of Kaikoura in the South Island. Top marks to Pete James for his thorough organisation of the programme, assisted by his wife Maryann.

Over four days we painted the town of Cheviot, the red and golden autumn vines at Mt Beautiful vineyard, majestic vistas at Gore Bay, vivid reflections of white toetoe and autumn trees in St Anne’s Lagoon and on the last day we went ‘barnstorming’. Borrowing the term from the aerobatic pilots who land their light planes in fields and use barns as venues for their impromptu airshows, we painted up a storm at each location we visited!

The scenery was sublime and learner artists were delighted with encouragement. Pavithra’s Value Cafe moved with its appreciative customers. 35 people, including some non-painter partners, enjoyed great fun, hearty country cooking and laughed at poet John’s ‘fish and chips ditty’.

The staff of the Cheviot Hotel welcomed us and our developing gallery, from which over 30 paintings sold, some to our own members as a reminder of a great trip. Thanks to Pete the town was expecting us and locals were thrilled to see their house, barn or woolshed in paint. The Cheviot school children learned about watercolour and watched artists in action.

An extremely satisfying and fun time had by all! A great celebration of watercolour!
Thanks to Pete and to all who attended another fun Paintaway.