The traditional gala event of the Eden Arts calendar is held in March each year and brings together a large number of recognised Auckland artists who draw and paint in Mt Eden Village. The completed works are auctioned the same day to provide funds for community arts initiatives.
Around 40 visual artists create work during the day. Talk to the artists or watch an artwork progress from start to finish. Children’s workshops are offered. The work of well known artists can be won in the raffle. It’s a great day with live music, entertainment and various activities to enjoy.
At the end there is a chance to purchase the works created, not to mention all the excitement of a live auction!
This year I was invited to be one of the artists painting live at Artists in Eden, and I worked on a small painting in the Migration Routes series called “Soft Day”.
The works in the Migration Routes Series are informed, and abstracted from my daily art making and journaling while travelling through the Hauraki Gulf, and coastal NZ as far North as Mangonui Harbour during 20 years of summers. I draw from both measured sources in the form of charts, and the movement and stillness of land, sea and sky that I experience. Intuitive mapping, and gestural mark-making are explored in transparent and solid layers. Contour is at times carved into the paint.
I also contributed a page to one of the Artist Books which are auctioned on the day. Other contributors to the Artist books this year included Peter Gibson Smith, Belinda Griffiths, John Horner, Neal Palmer, Peata Larkin, Claudia Pond Eyley and Rebecca Tune and many more.
“Ponui Island, Shark Bay.” Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 188gsm with hand drawn additions 1/10
This work is part of the series Not For Navigation, hand drawn watercolour charts of the Hauraki Gulf and beyond, painted while at anchor in the bay depicted, as I explore New Zealand by sea and track.
