High tide, Waimea Estuary

Another painting from the rack, being selected for the 100 paintings show. The title is a local in joke: You can only sail in the estuary at most two hours before and after high tide. After that it is all mud banks and tidal creeks. Hence, if he is sailing, then it must be high tide...



"High Tide. Waimea Estuary". Oil on panel. 7x11 in. $100

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlick@inspire.net.nz

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Getting ready for the big show

Two paintings, framed ready for the August show. I dug these out of the rack, both painted last year. I hope that there are more treasures waiting.



"Cherry Blossom". 5 x 9 in. Oil on panel.




"Into the Routeburn". Oil on panel. 9x12 in.


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Sixty five frames.

Sixty five frames being painted today. I have to have 100 for my exhibition next month. It's a big job, but at least I'm on the way.
No new paintings this week.
Studio time is being spent on touch ups.



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St Arnaud by the Lake.

I'm preparing for the first major show of this year, and in doing so I'm revisiting some of the earlier paintings I enjoyed, and painting larger studio versions.

This one was largely inspired by the work of Turner, English painter of extraordinary skies.



15166. "St Arnaud by the Lake". Oil on panel. 9x12 in. $150

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Mount Arthur from Rocks Road

A glorious sunny, warm mid winter's day. It has been a dreadful past few days, but the winter storms have passed leaving Mount Arthur and the Arthur Range blanketed with some of the best snow cover I've seen here in Nelson for years.

For once I did not have to travel hundreds of kilometres South to find inspiration. Wonderful.



15165. "Mount Arthur from Rocks Road". 9x12 in. $150.

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Rangitikei River at Mangaweka

Weather continues to be a challenge. Some overcast, some rain, and quite a lot of wind. Not conducive to tranquility when one is working metres away from a cliff top.
Still, even under some pressure I managed to get this completed.
I have always loved the white papa cliffs of the Rangitikei. It has become a bit of a pilgrimage over the years. I try to get here at least once a year.
They never disappoint.



15164. "Rangitikei River at Mangaweka". Oil on panel. 9x12 in. $150

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Location:Bunny Street,Pipitea,New Zealand

Ruapehu from Tangiwai

I was very fortunate that the clouds parted for a few minutes every so often, and I caught glimpses of the mountain from time to time. Then it really closed in. No more mountain, then it started to drizzle.
By then I had the painting nailed. Sometimes having to work fast, and not being able to spend hours noodling it can be an advantage.
I think that this one works.



15163. "Ruapehu from Tangiwai". Oil on panel. 9x12 in. $150

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased bt emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Wanganui River.

Wanganui has had a very challenging few weeks thanks to this normally placid river, known in earlier years as "the Rhine of New Zealand." Dreadful flooding has devastated parts of Wanganui and adjacent farmlands.
You would not pick this from the painting I completed today. Just as I was finishing an old friend who I had not seen for years drove up. We had tea at his place a few kilometres up the river from here, and I was shocked at the flood damaged paddocks and mud covered roads we passed.
He said that he and his wife had been stranded on their property for four days during the flood.
Thanks for tea, Brian and Jan. Most appreciated. You have a lovely place. I'm so glad the the waters stopped well short of your home.



15162 "Wanganui River" near Upukongaro. Oil on panel. $150

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Manawatu River.

I painted this today from behind where we used to live in Palmerston North. It is such a beautiful spot. I forget just how much I loved it when I lived here.
The dogs loved it too. So many hours spent wandering along the river bank. A real joy and privilege to be a painter in NZ generally. Not just in Nelson eh?
Heh.



15161 "Manawatu River" oil on panel. 9x12 in. $150

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad