Antarctica
Discovery hut artifact painting “Man’s Best Friend” reproduced as a NZ stamp in the Historic Huts of the Ross Dependency 2017 stamp issue.
29th September, 2017
The painting “Scott’s Discovery Hut” reproduced as a stamp in the NZ Post Historic Huts of the Ross Dependency 2017 stamp issue
21st September, 2017
Six Antarctic paintings selected for New Zealand stamps
21st September, 2017
It has been an honour and privilege to have six of the Antarctic paintings selected by New Zealand Post to be reproduced as stamps for the Historic Huts of The Ross Dependency 2017 Stamp issue. Also thank you to Antarctic Heritage Trust for your commitment throughout the project.
Antarctic exhibition – Christchurch October 6th to 9th 2017. Venue, Classics Building at the Arts Centre.
28th April, 2017
Please click on above DLE to view details
The exhibition will open in the Classics Building, adjacent to the Great Hall at the Arts Centre from Friday 6th to Monday 9th of October 10am – 5pm each day.
Please go on-line to register your interest in the exhibition and you will receive an invitation to attend the preview opening on Thursday 5th October at 6pm.
The last brush stroke.
28th April, 2017Finally! the Antarctic paintings are completed. It has certainly been a challenging and very satisfying fifteen months since the first brush stroke was applied. Long hours in the studio each day has seen the completion of sixteen paintings. Now, very much looking forward to working with the Fine Art Society and organising the Christchurch exhibition. The exhibition venue will be the Classics Room which is adjacent to the Great Hall in the Arts Centre. The exhibition will run from the 6th to 9th of October. I have added some close focus sections of some of the works. Now on Instagram so you can check out other works.
Cropped image of one of the paintings showing detail.
Cropped image highlighting detail.
Cropped image showing detail.
Close focus cropped image of a painting.
Close focus cropped image of the Southern Ocean painting.
Studio update
8th March, 2017Detailed drawings of the last Antarctic paintings have now been sketched out and ready to be transferred to the canvas. Once completed, attention will be focused on the upcoming exhibitions. Dates and venues to be posted soon as we have received confirmation. Also, here is section detail of some of the paintings.
Section detail of old wicker lamp in Scott’s hut.
The grand old Mrs Sam stove in Shackelton’s hut.
Shackelton’s “Nimrod” arriving at Cape Royd’s.
The studio with a underpainting in progress for on of the subjects.
I don’t normally paint in the dark !!!
Study painting of Scott’s Terra Nova hut
28th December, 2016This is a acrylic study painting of Scott’s Terra Nova hut which is completed before embarking on the more complex oil painting.
Scott’s Terra Nova hut.
Paintings always begin with many drawings and sketches.
Antarctic 2016/17 season opening function
8th October, 2016Thanks to Antarctica New Zealand for displaying one of my paintings at the Antarctic 2016/17 season opening function in Christchurch. The painting is of Shackletons Nimrod hut which will be included in the September 2017 Antarctic exhibition in Christchurch. The painting exhibited is of Shackleton’s Nimrod hut. Speakers included MC and CEO Antarctica New Zealand Peter Beggs. Guest speakers included Mark Gilbert Ambassador of The United Staes of America and Lianne Dalziel Mayor of Christchurch.
Oil painting of Shackleton’s Nimrod hut.
Peter Beggs, MC and CEO Antarctica New Zealand.
Mark Gilbert, Ambassador Of The United Staes Of America.
Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch.
Shackleton’s lair
6th July, 2016
Once I had entered Nimrod hut, the contents had my focus of attention. Painting subjects galore. Another long night was looming. Sleeping was wasting precious time. The urge to start photographing and sketching had to be checked as now it was time to stop, pause and soak it in. Once again I am thinking what a huge privilege it is to stand here alone in this tiny hut that represents one of the most extraordinary chapters in modern exploration history. The memory will endure for years to come. Some things we never forget. This is Shackleton.
Hours of photographing. All night as well…no sleeping here.
The famous Mrs Sam coal range.
Very personal. I wonder which explorer they belonged to.
I was looking through this window thinking how many times they must have done the same thing and dreamt of the green fields back home.
Nothing would have changed.
Time for a break.
Studio update
19th June, 2016
Introducing the studio recluse beavering away with the #Antarctic paintings. How about a progress report, well it’s steady progress.
The traditional oil painting process is extremely time consuming especially when each subject starts with a thumbnail sketch and then finishing with a more detailed large drawing that is eventually transferred to the canvas.
The Antarctic subjects are challenging to capture the mood of hardship and isolation but definitely achievable.
