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We at Coromandel Life have been ardent admirers of
Grant’s work for several years, attracted by the almost
photographic realness of his coastal scenes. You feel as if
you could walk right into his paintings and feel the glistening
waves wash over your feet. His pohutukawa blossoms tempt
you to touch them. So when Grant agreed to complete a
‘custom’ painting for our Holiday issue –
something that screamed “Kiwi Summer
Holiday” – we were rapt.
Every work shares an experience beyond
the landmarks, “something that recalls a
favourite place or a forgotten memory,”
says Grant. A recent work, “Naki Time”,
portrays a humorous display of sea beaten
jandels, sure to remind the viewer of one
lost long ago.
It’s difficult to believe that Grant is a self
taught artist with no formal training. We
are pleased he has pursued this amazing
natural gift so we all get to benefit.
His work has a cutting edge and
distinctive flair that one might describe
as ‘overwhelming realism’. We’ve asked
ourselves when viewing scans of Grant’s
paintings, oils on canvas, “Is this really a
painting, and not a photograph?”
Grant’s paintings have an arresting quality
beyond the allure of the realism and
exquisite technique – usually featuring well
known scenic landmarks, yet sometimes
having an overall abstract quality as well,
with broad swaths of textures and colours.
A large plain of rounded shore stones with
shiny wet contrasts, set against a clear blue sky. The thousand
petals of pohutakawa blossoms sparkling against shadowy
depths, the rough bark, the warm sands, the spacious horizon.
Our Cover Artist
Grant Simpson
“What more could a Kiwi wish for – sun, sand,
beautiful blue water and Pohutukawa trees in
bloom”, says Grant.
In our cover painting, “Summer Feeling, Simpsons Beach”,
Motukorure (Centre) Island can be seen on the horizon
through the pohutukawa blossoms we all love and recognise
– iconic to the Coromandel. Grant is shown at right in his
studio with the painting partially complete.
Bread &Butter Gallery
and on Facebook
26 Albert St, Whitianga • P: 07 866 4927
Bread & Butter Gallery
permanent artists
original works available year round
Fine Art Painting, Ceramic, Glass and Sculpture
selected from 60+ NZ artists
Check website for available works and exhibits
Mara Hermann
Michael D. Smither Ginny Deavoll
Sousie Speerstra
Ian Calloway
Jennie de Groot
Michael D. Smither
Grant Simpson Steven Carson
Professor and artist Carole Shepheard
to launch 2015 Mercury Bay Art Escape
Dr Carole Shepheard, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at Auckland
University and holder of ONZM for her contribution to the visual arts,
is featured speaker to open the 2015 Mercury Bay Art Escape Open
Studio Tour. The opening night fundraiser, at Hot Water Beach’s Hot
Waves Cafe, is slated for the 6th of March.
Carole is an artist, educator and writer living and working in Kawhia
where she runs Te Puti Art Studio. Best known for printmaking, her
work is held in national and international collections and presently
exhibited in Sydney.
Carole enjoys being
part of a small
community and puts
particular value on the
work being done by
artists outside large
cities where she
Proof of Intent
(Media Print, 201 3)