Escape to the Bay of Islands

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...

From Eden Terrace to Arch Hill


If you are looking for a little bit of original style Auckland you can't go past Eden Terrace. It's a tiny suburb with much of it taken for motorways over the years, but you can still get a feeling for what it might have been. It's quite steep giving you excellent views like this one across to Arch Hill. It's also incredibly green! No doubt helped by the hot humid tropical weather we've been having.

I'm drawing lots of these old beauties for the upcoming Past to Present exhibition at Railway Street Gallery from the 16th March through to 3rd of April.

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