WILDWOOD NEWS

A friendly newsletter to update you on what's happening at Wildwood Gallery with Sue & Robbie Graham.
Hope your year is going well for you!

Wow, it has been so long since the last news from Sue & Robbie. What a beautiful summer we had! (Perhaps we were too busy sitting by the lake to do our usual summer newsletter!) We have had a lot of overseas visitors to the gallery so far this year, which is good to see in these times of supposed "doom'n'gloom."

Sue went out and about displaying at Art in the Park a few times with very good results. She also had two idyllic painting sessions in the pastures of Rangiatea Station, painting the old mill there. (See Picture Page attachment for images.) She has been exploring the softer side of the watercolour medium this year, painting classic simplified scenes with lashings of water, glowing colour and subtle glazes.

In contrast, her latest acrylics are moody, with subtle earthy colours and richly applied texture. (Pictured opposite: "Flora & Flow", large Acrylic on canvas.) Even some words have been finding their way onto the page or canvas! Entranced by the names of local landmarks and flora, see the Magic Names series.

Commissioned works have continued to be popular. Meeting with the clients and then creating something especially for them is very rewarding. (See picture below of "Tuis in Kowhai")

Wellington Academy of Fine Arts Autumn Exhibition: Sue has been fortunate to have had a painting accepted each time over the last year or two.

Half-Price Sale Wall: A variety of watercolours and acrylics for half the marked price during our winter sale!

Recent Works: Latest acrylic paintings plus new selection of framed or mounted watercolours now on display.

Lake Taupo Hospice Week Art Auction, 5:30 pm Thursday 20 May: Sue was asked to display two paintings for this, at Danske Mobler. A great response with money raised going to a good cause.

Manawatu Open Wood Turning Day May 16: where Robbie won the Wellington Cup for Best Non-Woodturned Piece with his amazing creation entitled Mutant II (which was, interestingly enough, actually fully turned! See picture below.)

NZ Original Art Sale, June 25-27 at Telstra Centre, Manukau City: Sue was thrilled to be selected to exhibit two paintings for this big art show.

"Still Life & Beyond" Watercolour Workshop: Saturday June 19 at Marotiri $50

Young People's Holiday Art Classes: July 14/15, $45, for ages 8 - 15

Painting Murals! Sue will be working on 2 murals at Windsor Lodge next door, plus some more at Hilltop School with the students. Some of these will be entered into the Resene Mural Competition!

And most exciting, our trip to Oz in August: more details below!

Sue and I are off to Perth in August as I've been asked to demonstrate three days at the Perth Wood Show then to take two one day master classes for the Western Australian Woodturners Association, which is rather exciting.

We do wish you all the best as we head towards winter: let's hope it is great weather for painting and woodturning and perhaps you will have time to come and visit us at Wildwood Gallery.

(During winter it is best to phone ahead to check we are open if you are coming here midweek.)

Or contact us to find out which other galleries/exhibitions around NZ are currently displaying our artworks.