Occasionally Auckland Sketchbook escapes the city to somewhere interesting — and close. This time the sketchbook got a workout in The Bay of Islands . Only 3.5 hours by car and a world away from work. The sketch above was made in down-town Paihia, it doesn't look it, but it is literally behind the main street. The view is the back of an old homestead called Williams House . I was attracted by the orchard of very old fig trees on the left that had me imagining eating juicy ripe figs. Sadly they weren't in season but it must be a fun place at harvest time. Right over the other side of the bay you will find his falling down old house on Matauwhi Bay. For a while there the water had a turquoise glow until the sun went into hiding. This is Pompallier House and Clendon Cottage in Russell sketched with my back to the sea. I may have used a little too much artistic licence in moving them close enough together to fit on my page so don't look too closely. Anyway, I have sketched Po...
I spent a sunny hour and a half on Poynton Street (by the fire station) drawing Charles Williams, aka Phat 1, working on this piece on the facade of an art deco apartment. If you've ever seen Charles' work you'll recognise his signature style of enormous luxuriously painted (sprayed) native birds like this Tieke/Stitchbird. The bird's song is represented by a colourful floral design by Lady Diva that wafts up the street towards Pitt Street bringing the whole street to life.
The tiny figures seen on a cherry picker off to the left are Misery and Tomtom flat-out on an enormous piece growing up the wall of a lift shaft. If you're Monday morning commute takes you around the streets of K-rd your morning will be that bit more colourful.
Comments