Over ten inspirational days, 81 Taranaki artists are opening their studios and galleries for a peak into their range of work, from early art to their latest pieces.
A free 40 page brochure featuring all the artists and where to find them and their work will be available from the new Information Hub and exhibition space on the Ground Floor of Centre City (near the Currie Street entrance).
This is a great way to see one of the artists’ works in real life and decide which ones you’d like to see more of before planning your art tour.
Free brochures are also available at iSITES throughout Taranaki and many cafes as well.
Many artists are open for all ten days of the trail, from 9.30am – 4.30pm daily, while others are open only for the weekends, or by appointment only
We preview five of this year’s artists.
Carmel Boone
“I just listen to the canvas and do what it tells me,” says mixed media contemporary abstract artist, Carmel Boone.
Each piece is a new conversation asking for some kind of texture — a mood inspired process and spades of surrender.
“There’s a lot of standing around looking and listening, followed by an unfurling of movement through my body bringing medium to the canvas and dreaming to life,” she says of her creative process.
“Each piece holds a particular flavour of medicine for each viewer. “Something changes inside you in the presence of this work.”
A pandemic storm and forest fires brought Carmel back to the shelter of the Maunga from California in 2021.
“I paint all the time while also offering mentorship for creatives to return to themselves through their own one-step-plan.”
Studio open 1 – 3 and 8 – 10 Nov and by appointment in between
1154c Surf Highway 45, Oakura
Phone 027 592 3320
www.carmelboone.art
www.facebook.com/carmelboone.art
www.instagram.com/carmel.boone.art
Roxane White
Taranaki-born Roxane White has always been creative.
After many workshops she developed a passion (some might say “obsession”) for scrapbooking.
Utilising a range of new and recycled materials such as card, wood, wool, buttons, glass and found objects, Roxi creates a range of beautiful, useable and unique items. Some examples are cards, advent calendars, mini Christmas trees and crackers. She calls her work “scrapbooking with a twist”.
Roxi loves the intricate and precise nature of the work and the many different options. Her goal is to create unique, thoughtful gifts that people will love. She is happy to take orders.
View Roxane’s work at Oak Valley Garden, 248 Junction Road from 1 – 10 Nov
Facebook
rox.ross@xtra.co.nz
022 353 1614
Veronica Chan
“I feel that my calling in life is to give the world colours,” says Veronica Chan. “Whether through my paintings, my part-time job as a flower merchandiser or an art tutor.
“I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, and I like to channel this love through all sorts of mediums. From finger-painting, brushes, watercolour, or even printmaking. In each of these mediums, oddly enough I often hear the colours’ call to me to navigate through the spaces, shades and compositions, not necessarily true to the references in my final works, which will be exhibited during the Art Trail at Gover Street Gallery.”
Gover St Gallery open 1 – 10 Nov
Deborah Jardine
Deb Jardine loves to paint; embellishing canvas, walls, furniture and objects. Her bespoke work adorns a variety of private homes and commercial spaces around the country.
For Deb, decorative art is the perfect confluence of her love for both art and interior design.
After completing a degree in visual art, she pursued post-graduate studies at École Sablé in Paris, an art school specialising in French decorative art.
After a year of study she returned to Taranaki skilled in traditional paint techniques such as gilding, marbling, grisaille, verdigris and a range of other patinas.
With paint and brush Deb uses her experience to blend traditional motifs with contemporary design creating something unique and personal. Visit her studio all 10 days (1 – 10 Nov) and be inspired.
Open 1 – 10 Nov and by appointment throughout the year.
027 334 3030
https://www.instagram.com/theartfulgilder/
theartfulgilder@gmail.com
Rob Barrington
The self-described ‘surrealist’ says his influences include Rita Angus, Don Binney and Michael Smithers. You can see aspects from all three in Rob’s work, as well as evidence of his sign-writing and graphic design background.
He works with a wide range of materials — oils, acrylics, charcoal, chalks, pastels, pens and air-brushing — and has painted murals on buildings and even onto sails for super yachts.
In 2018 he started studying for a degree in media and graphic design, printing his artwork and promoting it through social media. By 2020 he was a full-time artist.
He moved to Taranaki in 2023 — lured by the surf and the chance for a more balanced lifestyle for his family.
Subject matter comes from memories of road trips around the country and surf spots he’s enjoyed.
“I have to have a connection with each piece.”
Studio open 1 – 3 and 8 – 10 Nov and by appointment in between
5 Scott St, Moturoa, New Plymouth