Miss Otago, under the knife.

I have an interesting series of commissions. A client who watched me paint Miss Otago in oil, using a brush, bought that, and asked me to paint another version, same size, same angle, but using a knife.
This is the result.
He now wants two more versions of Miss Otago, same size, but from the reverse angle. One in water media, (acrylic) and one in pastel.
He likes the way that the change in media changes the aspect and even the meaning of the piece.
As I said above, an interesting week or so ahead.



15089. "Miss Otago, Under the Knife". Oil on panel. 6x8. Sold

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Flowering Gum and the Fifeshire Rock

This was one of those paintings where the subject essentially took over. As followers of this blog will have noticed I tend to follow themes, at least for a while. Recently it has been flowers and flowering trees. Today this magnificent flowering gum on Rocks Road caught my eye. However, when I settled down to paint it, the Fifeshire rock in the background refused to be ignored.
Essentially, the lovely flowering gum became a frame for this iconic rock. Sigh. As usual, the painting knows best, so who am I, the mere facilitator of paint application, to argue. I think it makes a better painting so that is all to the
good anyway.



15038. "Flowering Gum and the Fifeshire Rock". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Flowering gums.

Nelson is one of the oldest settlements in NZ. For this reason there are some remarkable, even astonishing huge exotic trees around the city. This isn't one of the biggies, but is a very beautiful flowering gum beside the Maitai walkway.
While I was painting it a lot of passersby stopped to look and comment. They were all complimentary which is always reassuring. My guess is that those who mightn't have been, decided to keep schtum, for which I must be grateful.
Because it was Waitangi Day today, there were more people on the walkway than usual.



15037. "Flowering Gum, beside the Maitai". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Wild flowers by the pool

Another blustery day. It was quite pleasant tucked down by this tranquil pool. The Maitai flows gently here. I noticed that these little wild flowers seem to flourish in their sheltered spot.



15036. "Wild Flowers by the Pool". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Miss Otago.

This old trawler has had some bad moments recently. She banged up against rocks in Croiseilles Harbour during a storm, was salvaged, and now has ended up herein Nelson, on the beach. She will sail again, but for now is resting up.
I find her rugged trawler hull irresistible, a plein air painters dream. Today I painted her from her port side, against the sun. This is the second time I've painted her. I'll be back!



15035. "Miss Otoago" oil on panel. 6x8 in. Sold

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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From Cable Bay

Not actually Cable Bay, but looking away inland, Pepin Island to the left. A very blustery day, with the tide going out. I loved it. I was also glad to be standing behind a big hedge, sheltered from the wind. Unfortunately some wasps also thought that it was a splendid spot, but were unsure about sharing it with me.
However, after a while, and a few swats, they decided to push off, and I was able to complete this little painting.



15034. "From Cable Bay". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

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

rosswhitlock@ inspire.net.nz

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Cloud Streets over the Maitai.

I could have painted this three ways today. It started out as a hill and tree study, then it drizzled a bit, and I thought of misty hills, then it cleared, as the wind picked up and the sun came out, and whoopee! Dynamic cloud study! I just love it when the clouds do such cloudy things.
I can understand why Constable did so many. I'm actually painting the same size as he did. I remember looking at his cloud studies some years back and thinking then that paintings did not have to be big to be impressive.

In homage to the great master I have subtitled this: "painted 5pm, 2nd February 2015."



15033. "Cloud Streets over the Maitai". Oil on panel. 6x8in. $100

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

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


Posted using BlogPress from my iPad