Ōakura, Taranaki is a small seaside village, south of New Plymouth, on the western Taranaki coast with views from the mountain to the sea.

Review by Yvonne Geeraedts

On Friday 3 December 34 watercolour artists and partners arrived in Oakura, a little surf beach village in Taranaki. We gathered in the kitchen area of the local motor camp. Charlotte Hird had cooked up a storm which was savoured by everyone. It was a great start to mingle and meet the artists. I was nervous as a newbie to Watercolour New Zealand and outdoor painting, but soon realised I didn’t need to worry.

On Saturday we met at the camp again to discuss plans and painting locations. As it was a cloudy damp day, some stayed nearby to paint beachy scenes, but others ventured out to seek a spot with cover. Our creative minds were challenged not just on paper but how to paint comfortably in rain, how to see a subject from a car with fogging windows and intermittent wipers. At the end of the day we met in the Okato Hotel for dinner. The paintings were displayed. It was impressive to see everyone’s work and the subjects they had discovered. This was a special and encouraging time of sharing. Dinner had the Christmas spirit and was superb.

The next day wind was added to our showery weather challenge. Many went to the lighthouse on Cape Egmont, a gorgeous spot, exciting in all weathers. Unfortunately, there was no mountain back drop but intriguing clouds instead. It was another session of indoor-outdoor painting. On the drive back I saw people painting on the road-side in Okato and thought “How cool is that!” Our evening gathering was at the famous Butlers Reef Restaurant. Our works were on display again and I was blown away by the variety of style in the lighthouse paintings.

The rain really settled in. Some people went home and the rest of us met in the Okato hall. Charlotte and Libby hung an exhibition of our paintings for the locals to admire. It was a nice opportunity to paint together before saying goodbye and going our own ways.

All up it was a great weekend, meeting and painting with lovely fellow watercolour artists. A huge thanks for all the hard work, encouragement and inclusion from Libby and Charlotte. I can’t wait for the next Paintaway.

Some of the paintings from the Ōakura paintaway: