Drawing the Line With Paint (Mapping the Environment)

Course content:
An experimental Drawing and Painting workshop exploring complexity and simplification in abstraction and figuration. Using line as a flexible starting point, turning it in another direction, mapping the local urban and natural environment and structures, directly and in a’plein-air’ approach, making radical changes and choices.

“Finding one's way” as a metaphor for the artists journey of many directions. Drawing into painting, starting with observation and active diagrams into decollage and adventurous compositions using a variety of mixed media. Moving, searching, taking risks, exploring memory, imagination and confidently directing painting/drawing into a layered, poetic experience, on the lookout for change as a basic premise in new creative adventures of personal expression.

Tutor profile:
“Philippa Blair was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1945. She has been living in the USA since 1995. She graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts (Painting) from Canterbury University in 1967. She has exhibited nationally and internationally for 35 years and is represented in public and private collections in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Asia, and Europe. She works primarily as a painter making expressive, semi-abstract work that reflects urban reality and the natural world with references to high-tech and organic imagery, cartographic mapping, music and film.

It has been noted that in Blair's method of working, her constant innovation over the past 30 years of her artistic career cannot be compared to a simplistic rehashing and reconfiguration of a particular period of post-war American or German Expressionist painting.

Blair has maintained an idiosyncratic practice, continually excited by the prospect of exploring the possibilities of art making. She erased the boundaries between painting, sculpture and installation a long time before it became internationally fashionable.” - Artmosis

The annual “Summer Do” is held in a beautiful and inspirational environment, minutes from Whangarei. The Quarry is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a 7 ½ day or 3 day art courses designed to be stimulating, inclusive, intensive and fun. We invite you to join us, to gain and share experiences and knowledge in the hands of an experienced renowned tutor in this supportive, social and encouraging environment. The “Do” also includes informal talks by participating tutors and fun evening events.

2012 marks the 25th year of the Summer Do making it the longest-running art school in New Zealand.

Event listed by Andrea Beazley Arts Coordinator

View their other events or contact promoter