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As our “Road Trip” artist Charlotte Giblin
sat in Auckland airport waiting to start
her journey to the UK last year, her
mobile rang. It was Verena Tagmann and Craig
Comstock from Blue Water Marine Services
in Whitianga asking “would you like to help
us with a big mural project?” Charlotte didn’t
hesitate in saying yes, and arranged to talk
about it properly when she was back.
Charlotte knew fellow artist Verena very well
through Mercury Bay Art Escape, and had been
discussing with Craig the different kinds of
marine ply available to use for her new painting
‘canvases’ – so an enthusiastic appreciation of
art and community interests had already been
established between them.
Craig had been wanting to “do something”
with the dismal-looking 24 x 6m concrete wall
alongside his workshop/office building for
years, and they felt that Charlotte’s artistic style
– combining realism with an illustrative/cartoon
feel – would be perfect for a mural which would
brighten up and transform the industrial end of
Whitianga’s Bryce Street.
Refining the design...
With a keen blessing from the landlord, mural
designs got underway in July. Over the
following 6 months, the three worked closely,
altering and refining her design to ensure that
she would bring their creative vision to life – “to
create an artwork which would mean something
to everyone who passed by and saw it.”
The final painting is a stylised vista of Mercury
Bay and Whitianga harbour, with an emphasis
on marine businesses and water-based
tourism, including an underwater section with
divers. People will recognise specific boats
that are regularly seen in the harbour as well as
iconic Summer staples like the Banana Boat
and Dive Zone’s Scuba Doo.
Charlotte is proud of the final painting. “This is
the biggest project I’d ever taken on board, but
I’ve always enjoyed rising to a challenge.”
“I feel strongly about the merits of brightening
up an industrial working space that so many
people see daily. Passing Bryce Street on my
walks, having a cheerful painting there instead
of that dirty concrete wall is so lovely and it can
even be seen from Cook Drive!”
Craig and Judy Brocas, artists working across
the road at Bryce Street Studio/Gallery,
observed daily as Charlotte transformed their
view. “Through the blistering heat of summer
we watched in fascination – a fabulous
artistic edition to our street for ourselves, the
community and visitors to enjoy.”
Charlotte progressed quickly, posting daily
photos to her Facebook page. So she had
gawkers both on the ground and on social
media. The weather cooperated and in less
than two weeks, the mural was complete.
Charlotte generously donated her time and skills.
Coastal Scaffolding, based opposite the mural
location, eagerly donated the scaffolding, and local
business Guthrie Bowron sent a rep from Dulux to
visit the site and helped with paint.
SCULPTURE | PAINTING | PHOTOGRAPHY
CRAIG AND JUDY BROCAS | M: 021 188 2249
24 BRYCE ST. | WHITIANGA
Charlotte Giblin tackles BIG canvas!
WHITIANGA
“WALL TRIP”
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Drive by the Bryce Rd location and check it out
for yourself or see more photos on Charlotte’s
Facebook page, ‘Bouncing Pig - Charlotte’s Art’.
Be sure to visit her studio in Whitianga during
Mercury Bay Art Escape weekends (see next
page). Charlotte also has an exhibit of her Thames
themed paintings from the Road Trip hanging at
The Junction Hotel in Thames, through Easter.
Before....
Flooring
Tiles
Paint
Wallpaper
Curtains
Blinds
Manchester
Home Decor