Our Cover Artist
Ian Given
WHERE TO SEE IAN’S WORK:
Ian currently enjoys painting his sea and
landscapes from the Boat Shed Studio in
Whangapoua as well as his studio at home
in Tauranga. The Boat Shed is open to the
public whenever the sign is up outside (or
phone 021 943727 for an appointment).
See Ian’s paintings at the Mosaic Gallery
in Whitianga, The Castle Rock Café at Te
Rerenga, The Little Gallery of Fine Arts in
Tairua and The Weta Gallery in Coromandel.
View his work at
email
Ian at:
COVER ART: The Entrance
Milly’s on Main
078647464
236 Main Road in Tairua
KAYLA
078689063
522 Pollen Street in Thames
M
y first opportunity at art was (like everyone), in
school; and my achievements rose to having the
‘best illustrated science book’ in the class. However I
proved to myself, at least, that I had the talent to draw
pictures accurately.
My working career started as a sheet metal worker
where I learnt to read drawings, to ‘see in my mind’s
eye’ finished products in their true perspective. This
has helped me immensely with my art.
In the early seventies photography became a passion, and I joined the
Henderson Photographic Society. I had my own darkroom and entered
competitions. Photographs were monochrome in those days (for me at least),
and I did learn to read the gray scale – once again helpful in the art world.
After we moved to Tauranga in 1977 to take on a business venture, all the
hobbies went out the window except my involvement in Surf Life Saving.
That had started in the mid fifty’s and spanned some fifty years taking me to
beaches all over New Zealand and many other parts of the world – hence my
continued interest in the sea.
Our first visit to Whangapoua that same year involved camping in a paddock,
and we fell in love with the area. We went back a number of times over the next
ten years and, as the family grew we purchased a bach in 1987. Whangapoua
became part of our family lifestyle and our love for the place and the
surrounding district grew, with fishing, diving, and surfing the main attractions.
I kept up with photography, but not at club level. One of my passions has been
to visit galleries – not only in New Zealand – but overseas as well. I would look
at the paintings and say to myself ‘I could do that...maybe not as good, but
do it just the same.” Then I went out and bought some paints and brushes,
brought them home, and they sat in the cupboard for a couple of years!
Eventually, the paints came out of the cupboard, and I had a go. I am pretty
much self-taught, but learned from Sue Dent (a recognised Tauranga artist)
who has a small art school. Sue was great; she had so much knowledge and
had a very casual approach, not wanting to pressure her students to adopt her
style, but to create their own.
I found my place in the artists’ world and developed a style of realism that has
been influenced by my photography. (I did meet a fellow artist who called it
‘innocent realism’, which is probably closer to the truth.)
I have a strong interest in
plein air
(outdoor) painting that is a true challenge,
fighting the elements like changing light and cloud patterns, sand flies, wind
rain, and all that stuff! But I believe
it makes me a better painter, and I
really enjoy it.
It is the beauty of our country that
motivates and inspires me. Having
the opportunity to express myself
with each new work, I endeavour to
represent each subject in such a way
that others will enjoy and appreciate
it as much as I do. -
IG
“This sentinel rock is at the entrance of Whangapoua
Harbour with Castle Rock behind it as the distant
navigation point for any boats returning. I don’t know how
many times I have admired this view however I enjoy it
every time I see it.”
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