Invitation to "In The Steps Of My Father" Exhibition opening
You are Invited to the opening of "In The Steps Of My Father" with a Scottish afternoon tea at Green Island Gallery, 194 Main South Road, Green Island on Saturday 15 June 2013 at 3PM.
Click on link for Invitation:
Invitation to "In The Steps Of ... My Father" Exhibition opening
"In the Steps of my Father"
A Kiwi family that hailed from Scotland:
My late father, Tom Esplin, was a very successful painter in oils, and he painted in a distinctive impasto style using a spatula to apply the paint to the painting surface. The result was colourful and vibrant, and the texture gave his paintings an almost three dimensional quality.Apart from my sister Dot who was born in Dunedin, all of our family was born in Scotland, and we came to New Zealand to settle in 1954.
Extensive World travels chronicled in the "Esplin" book:
Dad and Mum travelled extensively Worldwide, Dad with his camera took many photographs wherever they went in order to use them as painting subjects when he returned home. My mother wrote detailed diary notes, and the combination of paintings and writings formed the basis of the book "Esplin" that my brother Clark and I published in 2007 and that has now sold over 3,000 copies.The travel bug was contagious:
I inherited the travel bug from my nomadic parents, and have visited many of the countries and destinations that they did during their sixty years of marriage.After returning home, I also painted the landmarks and landscapes I had seen, taking photographs in the same way as my Dad, and painting watercolours on my return home. It occurred to me recently to mount an exhibition with the title, "In The Steps Of My Father" featuring my paintings of the places and countries both my parents and I have visited over the years.
The Green Island Gallery hosts "In The Steps Of My Father" exhibition:
In partnership with Genny Hanning of the Green Island Gallery, this ambition will come to fruition with an exhibition opening on Friday, 14 June 2013 at the gallery in Main South Road, Green Island, and running to Thursday 11 July.About the book published to mark the occasion:
To mark the occasion, I have published a book of my paintings of the places I have travelled to throughout the world, and I have included text that outlines the stories around many of the works.Not surprisingly the book is entitled "In The Steps Of My Father" and will be available for purchase at $50 for the duration of the exhibition. For those of you who would like the book, but are unable to attend the exhibition, I am happy to mail copies to you if you add $10 postage and packaging to the price. The book has a hard cover, and features 75 paintings and drawings of locations in 17 countries over 20 pages, and it measures 215mm x 295mm. Email me at ron@ronesplin.co.nz with your postal address and deposit payment to BNZ a/c "For Brian Snell Limited" 020912 0027054 00.
Click on the link to access the website page for illustrations.
"In the Steps of my Father"
Always wanted to paint but don't know where to start?
Always wanted to paint but don't know where to start?
How many times have I heard these words or similar? It is great fun painting in watercolours but I know it is a bit of a minefield knowing what to get in the way of materials, how to set yourself up, setting aside some space to do it, setting aside some time even.A sixteen page booklet provides some answers:
I can provide some of the answers to these questions in a sixteen page booklet I have produced.I explain the materials that I would advise you to start with and although I will not list them here, suffice to say, if you want a good painting, get good materials. Good paper, good brushes, artist quality pigments but I explain it all in more detail in the booklet. I also explain the technique of watercolour painting, about transparency, washes and glazes, and a few watercolour "KEYS".
Principles, techniques, hints and wrinkles:
Principles of design are described in an understandable form. Elements such as balance, gradation, contrast, and harmony for example. How can you use a camera to good effect to assist your painting.There are many hints and short cuts that I have had to find out over 30 years of painting through enquiry and making mistakes that you can avoid. There are sections on painting skies, making believable figures, and encouraging you to tell a story in your paintings. I have included some rules that save you from making the mistakes that many before you have fallen into, including me!
A quick start guide for $15:
It is really a quick start guide rather than a heavy tome that you have to dredge through before you can get information that is useful to you. And it is only $15!So why not make a start, get the booklet and take imperfect action. That means start now! Ready or not!
Do it now!
Follow this link to see the cover of the booklet "Wonderful Watercolour"Always wanted to paint but don't know where to start?
Mostar - In The Footsteps of My Father
The Mostar Bridge in Bosnia Herzegovina:
"We came to Mostar by bus, which is totally different from anything we expected. It is a much bigger industrial area and only one tiny area of picturesque nature, where the famous bridge and the tiny streets of old Turkish houses still remain. There are many mosques showing the Turkish influence. We at first wanted to come on to Dubrovnik, but decided against it as we wanted to make the journey in daylight. We were rewarded by being able to see the bridge floodlit at night"Destroyed in the Serbo - Croatian War:
So wrote my mother in October 1972, and little did she know that in November 1993 the bridge that had stood since 1557 would be destroyed in the Serbo-Croatian war.The Old Bridge, or Stari Most spanned the Neretva River, and when it tumbled in pieces into the river, the mortar inside, which contained pink bauxite, turned the water red as it fell. Locals said their old friend was bleeding.
Rebuilding the Bridge and the Country:
It took longer to rebuild the bridge in the 21st Century, but in July 2004, at a cost of $13 Million, the new Old Bridge was inaugurated and now stands again as a symbol of reconciliation.Mostar is still rebuilding, and bullet holes and destroyed buildings are ugly reminders of the scenes we witnessed in the nineties on the nightly news.
Following in their footsteps forty years on:
I had seen the painting of the bridge that my Dad, Tom Esplin had completed, and I was drawn to Mostar like a magnet. In October 2012 we were in Split and a day of rest presented the opportunity to take a bus ride the two hour journey to Mostar for a day trip.My camera and I finally found the ideal viewing spot from another bridge downstream and the precious photograph assisted me this month to complete a watercolour of the iconic scene, and gave me another chance to connect with the travels of my parents over forty years before me.
View images by clicking this link:
Mostar - In The Footsteps of My Father
A fun time at Early Childhood on Stafford
An invitation to do art with under fives at Early Childhood on Stafford:
When Rod Eales, an artist and early childhood teacher, suggested I came for a visit to do some art for the "over twos" at Early Childhood on Stafford I had never been to the centre before and I was uncertain what I could do that would amuse them or be a learning experience.A combination of organization and chaos:
The hour and a half I spent there was combination of organization and chaos. Rod had previously taken the under fives to the Art Station where I had been the Artist in Residence at the time. They had crowded around while I was painting and showed the charming curiosity of the very young. Among the paintings I had on display was an acrylic of an over sized hamburger that amused both Rod and the children.Because of their interest in this painting Rod had suggested a hamburger theme for my visit, and they already had pictures of hamburgers that had been printed off.
A painting of a giant hamburger:
I decided a quick watercolour of a giant hamburger would hold their attention and we had heaps of fun deciding all the ingredients that would go into this fanciful food item. As they named the items I painted them, tomato, beetroot, cheese, lettuce. Then they started to use their imagination, a sausage, steak, bacon, even a tortoise went in much to their amusement.Missing my grandchildren:
I have two grandchildren about their age in Chicago, and I am missing them growing up, so you can imagine my delight interacting with half a dozen or more with their energy and enthusiasm.It was their turn to paint then, and some of the hamburgers they produced were wonderful. We then painted some daffodils in a glass vase, and a very quick sky and seascape, then a landscape with a little house with a red roof.
Who learned from who?
I was thrilled with the way the children were able to concentrate and maintain attention. I taught them how I paint, but they taught me how they paint and how they look at the world with fresh eyes.I had hoped my visit would be a fun experience for the children, but I had not anticipated just how much fun I would have in the event myself.
My experience at Early Childhood on Stafford taught me that Groucho Marx got it right when he said: "A child of five would understand this. Fetch me a child of five."
Follow this link to see the photos of my visit to Early Childhood on Stafford.
A fun time at Early Childhood on Stafford
Our Wonderful Wet Coast Holiday
And did it rain!:
The rain started as we drove up the shore of Lake Wanaka towards the Haast Pass and I said to Julie "well it can't rain for four days". Our West Coast holiday was planned to take us South from Haast to Jackson Bay staying a night at Okuru, then back up the Coast to Hokitika for a three night stay before joining sister and brother-in-law Amanda and Russell in Ruby Bay near Nelson.But the rain stopped when it counted:
Well it pretty much did rain for the time we were on the West Coast, it rained for five straight days in fact, but it generously stopped whenever it counted. We had a break in the weather briefly at Jackson Bay, intermittently up the coast, at Fox long enough to take the short bush walk to the viewing point for the glacier, long enough to do the amazing Treetop walk near Hokitika, and the Pancake rocks at Punakaiki, and to cross the longest swing bridge over the Buller River in the Buller Gorge.We were treated to the true nature of the Coast:
But the important thing to learn by the experience, was the grandeur of the area because of the reputation it has for wet weather. The rivers were spectacularly in flood, the waterfalls we saw everywhere were raging torrents, and the mountains were cloaked in cloud and mist showing the brooding mountain landscape peering out from behind the clouds. Even the coastline showed it's wild side with waves crashing over the rocky shore flinging spray high into the air. At Punakaiki we experienced for the first time the booming blowholes in full performance mode. Yes the West Coast was wet, but experiencing that wildness was a privilege in itself.Taking the rough with the smooth:
Yes it was annoying to leap from the car to have a host of sandflies converge on us and the vehicle, yes it was annoying to get soaked at times, and yes it was annoying to have drips over the camera lens. But the sandfly bites have gone now, we were soon warm and dry again in the car or motel, and some of the great photographs I did get represent the true nature of the region.Compliments of the Season to you all:
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and we can all look forward to 2013 with new vigour and enthusiasm after the holiday break.Ron Esplin welcomes new gallery "Twin Oaks Gallery and Gardens"
New Gallery "Twin Oaks Gallery and Gardens" now open:
"Twin Oaks Gallery and Gardens" is now open on State Highway One, Otaio, Timaru and occupies the former Otaio Schoolhouse and I am delighted to be one of their inaugural exhibitors.Debra and John Cudworth have combined a unique variety of attractions to encourage you to break your journey South or North on State Highway One 24 kms South of Timaru between St Andrews and Makikihi.
A range of activities is available for all ages:
Besides displaying art work for you to purchase, jewellery and giftware are also available for sale.If you are travelling with the family, John makes a mean Barista coffee so you can take a welcome coffee break, while if you have kids, they can play tennis on the tennis court and expend a bit of energy after being confined to the car during your journey.
Amazing HO Model Railway layout:
Young and old "kids" can see the amazing HO Model Railway layout that John has built. Realistic synchronised sound effects and hills and tunnels bring this amazing layout to life, and Dad's, Mum's and kids can even have a go at driving the locomotives themselves.Plants including perennials, peonies, day lilies, and heuchera are also on offer to the visitor.
Art work by a number of artists including Ron Esplin, Sarah Deans, and Deb Cudworth herself who runs art classes at the Gallery for local art enthusiasts.
Contact details:
For more details contact Debra or John Cudworth at Twin Oaks Gallery ph. 03 612 6677. Email gallery@twinoaks.co.nz or visit their website at www.twinoaksgallery.co.nz.See information and pictures on my website at www.esplinart.com by clicking the following link.
Ron Esplin welcomes new galler ... Twin Oaks Gallery and Gardens"
Ron's book "A Portrait Of Otago" is now available!
A long held ambition to publish a book of Otago Paintings:
For a number of years, as I have been painting a wide range of locations around Otago, I have thought about putting them into book form.I have painted over 800 paintings, and it was a really difficult job to make a selection that seemed to represent the region in the best way.
The computer made the task achievable:
The computer played an important role as I keep a digital record of every painting I have done, so I created a folder named "A Portrait of Otago". and loaded in the most relevant images.The task then was to retain the best of them, ensuring that I represented the whole of Otago.
In the book that has resulted, I have divided it into four sections, Central Otago, Dunedin City, Otago Harbour, and North Otago.
Twenty pages in a soft cover in full colour:
"A Portrait of Otago", subtitled "A Personal View of the Region", is a soft cover book, ideal for postage, and measures 20cm x 20cm, (8 inches by 8 inches if you prefer).There are twenty pages in full colour and a there is a biography on the back cover. I have refined the publication from my first edition, and this new edition is the 2013 publication. It is now available from the Art Station Shop in the Railway Station, directly from me through esplin.art@xtra.co.nz, or through the website at www.esplinart.com.
See the picture of the book on the News item in the website using the following link,
Ron's book "A Portrait Of Otago" is now available!
The price is $28. p&p $5.
Our Online Store