Kai Iwi is a lovely place to paint. It has beautiful sculptural cliffs and a really interesting beach with the sea and river carving dramatic shapes. I just had to include a couple gazing at the cliffs with their dog in the picture.

Gore Bay holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my family has been for many years, and I made a pilgrimage there in May. I simply couldn’t resist painting it again.

This is a plein air work, produced on site and and refined In the Studio. While on my usual evening walk with Rosie (Poochin). It has been painted in a true Expressionist style on site. I believe this gives the work a special energy and brevity. The colours I have used exciting and bright and honest.

This lovely place is made even more special by the silence, only broken by the sound of water and birds.

I painted this from a study. It is a creek on a farm that borders the Ruahines

I endeavoured to describe the way ferns soften and brighten our New Zealand bush.

An iconic gestural painting. Bright and descriptive.

The last of the sun bathing the cliffs at the end of the day.

An energetic gestural painting, inspired by Van der Velden, my favourite early New Zealand artist. He, however would not approve of the colour nor expression. This work is a current favourite of mine.

Painting this was a lovely challenge. I really wanted the light to glow just over the hill from the right. The long shadows were also important, and the perfect golden yellow of the poplar trees was a key element.

I think macrocarpa trees are the old soldiers of the Manawatu. No matter what you do to them, they still seem to survive. Each tree has a history and an individuality. This painting was chosen to grace the cover of the Grey Power magazine.

I absolutely love the Pohangina Valley, especially during the spring and summer. It’s always a vibrant green and lush landscape. The horizontals of the valley, the vertical poplar trees, and the distant hills make it such a pleasure to paint.

I have a passion for describing the light and times. Sunset is always a time of colour and peace.

My parents retired to Blenheim, and it was their favourite place to go. The reserve is absolutely beautiful, with a stand of majestic Matai trees. This painting captures the beauty of the reserve early morning.

This painting was solely inspired by colour and the thoughts of evening.

I wanted to describe the damp mist and ferns we so often see early morning in the bush.

Painted plein air with studio completion.

River view and shadows looking towards Ruahine Street in the distance.

Iconic representation of the light in the Manawatu Gorge.

Capturing the sculptural forms and patterns in the sand.

Descriptive of the trees and late afternoon.

Painting the way the river sculptures the papa cliffs and the colours of Rangitikei.

Off the track, enjoying the streams and native bush.

Capturing the beautiful colours on the river and cliffs.

Looking up river on the Linton Track with Ahimate Reserve in the foreground.

Plein Air painting. Pohangina Valley. A perfectly still peaceful day, great for
watercolouring.

Plein Air painting. Wanted to capture the expressive late afternoon light. Plantation near Mangamaire.

Plein Air painting. From near Colyton. Late afternoon light and resting cows,a perfect time to paint.

Plein Air painting. From near Pahiatua
Wonderfully descriptive stand of old Macrocarpa.

Plein Air painting. From near Motupeko.
Just wanted to capture the light on the hay bales.

A special place approaching the Te Matai Road River bend. Late afternoon shadows enhance the composition.

I’m always fascinated by the way light interacts with trees. I like the way it lures the spectator into the composition.

Composed and painted to celebrate an interesting old woolshed and beautiful old trees. 

Painting inspired by the view of the river from Camp Rangi, near Totara Reserve, Pohangina Valley.

I love this old track in among the trees just down from Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert bridge

We’ve all seen this beautiful avenue of trees along the river. Always a peaceful pleasure to paint

A favourite view from the dunes looking North in the
morning

A well recognised spot from the walkway path

An impressionist view, late afternoon up the Rangitikei valley

It’s always such a pleasure to paint these native palms, they are always individuals with personalities. These Nikau are a composition created from my sketch book.

This painting is inspired by the paddock on the right at the Te Matai  Road end of the Manawatu River walkway.

The colours are as I saw them, vivid and vital.... typical of a Manawatu summer.

This painting is the product of an early morning walk, the sun has just begun to warm the day. The colours are a lovely balance describing shadow and light.

The energy of these lovely old trees is described in warm siennas. Macrocarpa so much a part of the Manawatu rural scene.

This work takes you on one of my regular beach escapes to Himitangi. The colours are underpinned with the warmth of rose madder and red golds.

Describing the Beautiful Rangitikei River and surrounds on a summers day. Painted partially Plein Air.

A peaceful painting describing early mornings on the Manawatu River walkway ... the best time of day.

A softly washed and glazed painting, of the view on the right just after Vinegar Hill.

Sunlight, transparency, stones in the water are always fascinating and challenging. This work is particularly peaceful and descriptive of the Tiritea stream.

Just past Totara Reserve. Sketched and Painted Plein Air. (on Location).

I have some beautiful Paua Shells and and precious old Kete .... just had to put them together in a still life.

Gorge paintings are increasingly difficult to achieve on site, this one was sketched just above the Gorge walk carpark and completed back in the studio.

Just had to paint this during the New Zealand Christmas vacation. After all it is our Christmas tree.

I call this ‘a painted sketch’. Briefly drawn Plein Air on the way up the Pohangina.
It has the energy and honesty that always look for in my work.

I enjoyed stylising the subjects in this painting, sadly this painting is iconic ... owing to the Gorge closure.

This is where the family Bach is... and a million wonderful memories. I hope I reflected everything this place means in this painting