BY FIONA CARRUTHERS

In May about 50 excited and motvated water colour artists descended on the sleepy Mid Canterbury town of Methven from all over New Zealand for this year’s Paintaway and what a wonderful time we all had here.

It was great to catch up with old friends and to get to know keen new watercolour painters and enjoy the feast of stunning scenery to choose from in this gorgeous part of Aotearoa.

Day 1 we painted at Staverley, a small rural village a bit south from Methven. Jen had great contacts and we were able to use the facilities at a local church camp which even included a fire, which was most welcome. Dozens of cars lined the road and easels were erected. The foothills proved a great challenge to start the day. In the afternoon most of us moved to the church at Staverley and painted this quaint building surrounded by gorgeous autumnal trees. Each evening we gathered at the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall for nibbles, wine and a jolly good chat. Our paintngs for the day were put up around the room, which made
for a great display. We shared dinner together at SkiTime restaurant, which was a great time to socalise.

Day 2 we all headed to Mt Somers Station. Jen had arranged with the owners to use their woodshed for shelter. Most painted rural scenes outside in the morning but showers increased to persistent rain in the afternoon so we worked away in the shed. We put our paintings up on the walls back at the hall in the evening and invited the locals to come in and view our work. It’s so interesting how the same scene can produce such a huge variety of paintings and styles.

Day 3 arrived with a bit of mist in the morning which soon evaporated and we all went to different locations: some up the Rakaia River Valley; up Blackford Road and others to the Ashburton
Lakes area.

The sky was heavy with a classic northwest arch but the further into the mountains we went the more the sun revealed lots of colour and gorgeous shadows. We gathered in the evening and were treated to poetry by John Howell - and a lovely encouraging talk by Pavithra. Her overview of Watercolour New Zealand was
very thought-provoking. We are so fortunate to have a keen team at the helm to drive the organisation which includes artists of all levels of ability from throughout New Zealand.

Day 4 saw the rain arrive and we thought it would be a day inside. However, by 9.30am it cleared up and we again hit the road, some just out of Methven to paint the beautifully lit foothills. A number
left Methven during the day with the remainder making the most of the warm nor’west conditions before the cold southerly set in.

What a great few days it was, allowing all of us extended opportunities to paint outdoors, and re-enthusing many in their love of watercolour and the joy of painting on location. Many thanks again to all those who organised the event - Jen, Diana, Sue, Charlotte and Adrienne, to name just a few.