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...

The trees that frame our city

 


This magnificent pōhutukawa tree beside the Browns Bay boardwalk was sketched on a crisp, cool but super sunny winters day with Urban Sketchers Auckland. People were even swimming!

I'm finding Auckland's trees to be a very interesting subject lately. Often framing our view of the city, they're a distinctive visual and physical presence in the landscape as well the city's lungs, not to mention providing shade in the summer!

Comments