r
oad
t
rip
Continuing the JOURNEY...
DESTINATION:
Simpson’s Beach,
Kuaotunu, Otama Beach & Opito Bay, Matarangi, New Chum
Leaving Whitianga
Join our FEatured ARTIST...
CHARLOTTE GIBLIN
C
harlotte Giblin again leads our trek ... Her charming acrylic
paintings and wistful musings honouring the Coromandel
Peninsula adorned the first two of our
Road Trip
series.
Charlotte completed a BA (Hons) in Ceramics at University of
Wales Institute in 1997, inspiring her to set up Bouncing Pig
Pottery. After ten years throwing an estimated 25,000 mugs, bowls,
and plates, Charlotte changed careers, from art to marketing. And
location (with partner Pete) from the UK to New Zealand.
Charlotte has had a slight change of direction. After setting up and
running the arts gallery and festival in Morrinsville, and more recently
acting as administrator for the Mercury Bay Art Escape, she has decided
to step down and devote all her time to painting, teaching art classes,
and illustrating children’s books. Charlotte also plans to assemble her
musings, paintings and illustrations
into at least one book of her own. She
now teaches “How to See” drawing
workshops in multiple locations on
the Coromandel.
Charlotte found her art niche with
these “Big Sky” series of paintings,
coupled with perceptive journal entries.
Find her work as originals, prints and even her popular cushions
displayed in the Little Gallery of Fine Arts (Tairua), Beach Habitat (Hahei)
and Bread & Butter Gallery (Whitianga). She is preparing for a large
October exhibition of her works at the Wallace. Friend her on Facebook
and visit
O
ur journey begins where the Summer issue’s
Road Trip
left off – the north end of Buffalo
Beach in Whitianga. Travel on SH 25 a bit north
to find Simpson’s Beach. Then meander ‘over
the hill’ to the historic Kuaotunu. where we visit
some of the finest beaches you’ll find in New
Zealand, both east and west of Kuaotunu.
Be inspired to stop-shop-dine along the way.
Make an overnight of it – or several. There are
many activities offered in the area – but the sea
is always calling. Catch that kingfish, snapper
or marlin. Surf, wade, or dive. Hike and bike. Or
relax with that flat white. But bring your camera
to capture this treasure trove of beaches.
(See
Coromandel Life
’s previous issues for our East Coast
Road Trips: First tour included Tairua, Hot Water Beach,
Cook’s Beach & Hahei. Second tour covered north to
Whitianga’s Ferry Landing, Whitianga and Buffalo Beach.)
with special Guest Artist...
Claire Elliot
Simpson’s
Beach
Te
Rerenga
Whangapoua
Harbour
Matarangi
New Chum
Beach
Whangapoua
Kuaotunu
Otama Beach
Opito
Beach
Simpson’s Beach
Kennedy Bay
Mercury
Bay
28
COROMANDEL LIFE LATE AUTUMN/WINTER
I
t was a delight to meet Claire Elliot during the Mercury Bay Art Escape at
the Otama Beach studio complex she shares with other local artists. What a
fabulous spot. It’s no wonder it has provided such inspiration for her breathtaking
paintings. Claire loves the play of clouds and their shadows on the sea and is
fascinated with silvery, shiny water. Elements that both ‘shine’ through her work.
Claire first started playing with the idea of achieving a metallic look in her
seascapes about six years ago. She eventually developed a range of techniques,
using mixed media and metallic spray paint, to capture those sparkly wavelets
and that magic sheen. This achievement won her recognition for her painting
‘Silver Swell’, by the Sir James Wallace Trust as the best emerging artist in the
2011 ‘Taste of the Tour’ Exhibition .
Claire’s art is firmly rooted in the Mercury Bay area. She graduated from The
Learning Connection in Wellington in 2006 with a Honours Diploma of Art and
Creativity and joined the Whitianga Art Group in her early 20s. Her artwork is held
in many private collections throughout the world and New Zealand, including the
James Wallace Arts Trust.
You can view Claire’s art at Mosaic Gallery in Whitianga or her studio. To contact
Claire, phone 07 8671569 or e-mail
