Kindred Spirits Group Exhibition

Nine 'Kindred Spirits', once tutored by Helen Kerridge and who still paint together weekly above Humanity Books & Fine Art Supplies, have curated their spring exhibition. With a variety of mediums and techniques on all sizes of canvas, you may just find that something special!

Jenny Bishop

I started my art career 20 years ago with a short drawing course and now work mainly in acrylics but have also worked in oils, water colour and charcoal.

My work is held in private and corporate collections throughout New Zealand. I have lived in Napier all my life and have travelled overseas extensively so have gained a lot of inspiration along the way for my paintings.

I paint a variety of subjects with flowers, still life and figurative work, my favourite subjects. I was tutored by Helen Kerridge for many years. My paintings are loose and gestural and I use colour, lots of paint, apalette knife and brush which take my art on a journey to a surprise end result.

Jean Dixon

I enjoy using both acrylic and oil paints, usually applying them with a large brush, palette knife, squeegee or fingers in order to achieve a loose atmospheric mood. I like to use a limited palette and textural strokes to develop abstract seascapes and landscapes in which I hope the viewer will discover something new each time they look evoking their own memories of a place and time.

Recently I have been experimenting with cold wax medium in my oil paint which gives another dimension and texture to my work. In contrast to these moody seascapes, I also enjoy painting large impressionist flowers with the same loose textural strokes.

I have won awards at Art Hawke's Bay and Keirunga Exhibitions and have also had my work accepted by the Harcourts Art-x National Exhibition.

Karen Panton

I am an acrylic artist with a rather quirky sense of humour, which often reflects in my art. I am more into surrealism, but I do paint several genres. I have been painting for many years and sold well. I have featured in the NZ Artist Magazine, and also won several competition awards.

I like nothing better than 'being in the zone'. This is when one suddenly comes to the realisation, while painting, that for a considerable time, sometimes hours, they have been lost in a total creative dream world. Often an idea for my next painting will pop into my head, but seldom is the finished piece anything like my first vision.

Frances Bryant

When I first started painting, I painted in water colour but found I liked more vibrant colours better so now I paint in oils which I love. They are so easy to blend, also I like the longer drying time.

First, I underpaint in acrylic to get the light and darks then oils on top. I paint still life, especially older things and flowers but my favorite is landscapes. I have to enjoy what I paint otherwise it just doesn't work.

Debbie August

My name is Debbie August, of Ngāti Porou descent. My love of painting is done in my spare time and with a very special group of extremely talented artists, once a week for two hours.

My love and passion of the Māori women’s chin tattoo (Moko Kauae), which connects a woman to her whanau (family) and whakapapa (genealogy), has been passed on down through generations and remains a tradition of many Māori women today.

Creating my latest series of paintings in this area, has been a real joy to paint, and a true connection within to my Māori heritage, which I am proud to be a part of.

Jacqui Kiddle

Hi, I'm Jacqui Kiddle, a local artist born in Hastings, but I have travelled extensively. I didn't get into painting until my early 50's and was inspired to paint more by my family and art teacher. My dad had done some painting himself and his grandfather was an artist at Covent Garden, London.

I've always loved light and how it plays upon the landscape or alters the mood of a scene. Generally, my paintings reflect this. My art is often very painterly and currently I am enjoying using a palette knife with brush.

My work is heavily influenced by impressionists with Monet being the ultimate. After all, if I can begin to emulate Monet even just a touch who's complaining!

Rachael Gresham

I began painting in Tauranga as a young mother. After moving to Hawke's Bay in the early 90's and continued painting under the supportive and invaluable direction of Helen Kerridge and the Kindred Spirits Art Group. I remain a member of this talented and enthusiastic group of painters today.

I draw inspiration from the natural and built environment in which I live and work as an Environmental Planner. Painting brings me a moment of pause and offers me a chance to reflect on and celebrate the beauty of New Zealand.

Rosezella Rita Smith

I have been painting for more than 30 years and paint with acrylic on canvas. I often use a pallet knife to create texture in my work.

Over the years, I have enjoyed painting landscapes, still life, as well as my mokopuna. I get great enjoyment from our weekly art group, where we have lots of fun and laughs together.

Glenis Jones

As a young girl I was taught by my mother to sew my own clothes. This was the start of my interest in colour. As a young adult I progressed to patchwork quilting which explored colour and accuracy.

Painting came next. I mainly work in acrylic or mixed media. I have been fortunate to have had many amazing tutors and have painted portraits, landscapes and still life. I enjoy the company of other artists. We learn from each other.