“Fine Lines 2022”
An exhibition of original nudes by the Catherine Mitchell Life Drawing group.
[ s p a c e ] art gallery
114, Ocean view road
Oneroa, Waiheke Island
Friday 21 October to Sunday 6 November 2022
After last year interruption, the Catherine Mitchell Life Daring Group is delighted to be hosting again their traditional yearly exhibition. The show opens on Friday 21 of October in the “small space” room at [ s p a c e ] gallery in Oneroa. The opening function will be on Saturday 22 at 6pm, all welcomed.
Representing the human anatomy in pencil, charcoal, pastel, watercolours, and a variety of media, this show is an opportunity to discover some of Waiheke numerous talents, to learn about a seldom presented aspect of New Zealand contemporary art and to purchase affordable original artworks.
The works on display will be framed, a departure from previous tenures when the group offered quick sketches on loose sheets. While most artworks are produced during the group weekly practice sessions, some more elaborate studio works will also be on display.
Figure drawing is the practice of drawing the human figure, one of the most enduring themes in the visual arts, from the observation of a live model, generally nude, or “undraped”. It is considered one of the most difficult artistic disciplines. Models offer a succession of short poses, from a few minutes to half an hour. The resulting drawings have raw energy, dynamic properties and often appear effortless.
Exhibiting artists
Paul Dashwood, Olivier Duhamel, Mary Ferguson, Peter Howard, Nicky Kukulka, Lyndsay Meager, Marta Meyer, Chiara Nitopi, Svetlana Parmenter, Cindy Reyners, Rod Thomas, Yolanda Whitehead.
About the Catherine Mitchell Life Drawing Group.
The Catherine Mitchell Life Drawing Group is a very active drawing group which has been in continuous existence for over 40 years. Past members include some notable artist such as Jan Nigro.
The group meets twice a week, every Monday evening, and every Wednesday morning.
Members include a broad range of people from all generations, from professional full-time artists to hobbyists and devotees as well as young art students.
This is an untutored drawing group, but instructors are sometimes invited to demonstrate their technique. New members and new models welcomed.
For more information, please contact Olivier Duhamel on Olivideroduhamel@gmail.com
About the Catherine Mitchell Art Center
Catherine Mitchell Art Centre is a society for the promotion and development of artistic and cultural endeavour on Waiheke Island. Located on Putiki Road in Ostend, the centre was established in 1952 when local craftswoman Catherine Mitchell left her home as a bequest for Waiheke people to use as an arts centre. Clubs and groups include Pottery, Spinning and weaving, Toastmasters, Life drawing, Bridge, Writers, All things fabric. For more information, please email: CMACWaiheke@gmail.com
About [ s p a c e ] art gallery
Established in 2013 in the heart of Oneroa village [ s p a c e ] art gallery is a collective of 8 local Waiheke artists and is exhibiting in 4 distinct areas a permanent collection of abstract and figurative paintings, original sculptures, elegant ceramics, bronzes, jewellery and drawings, indoor and outdoor art from delicate small figurines to monumental works.
More information on www.spaceartgallery.co.nz or contact Olivier Duhamel on Olivideroduhamel@gmail.com
Svetlana Parmenter majored in Painting at Unitec in 2000. Her interest in line and lino printmaking originated from introducing students to black and white lino prints early in her teaching career. I see my linocut prints as a celebration of the artist models and fellow drawers at the Mitchel Centre. I have endeavoured to recreate the intimate atmosphere of our local Art Studio; its warmth, the glow of lamps, patterns and textures of the cushions and almost palpable concentration of friends, the drawers, as we speak of movies, travel, politics, drawing techniques new to us, while listening to jazz, blues, opera pouring forth from our faithful old CD player…. Svetlana.Parmenter@outlook.com
Cindy Reyners
Painting has always been my passion. Now I have the time and space to pursue this creative spirit. Many years ago, I earned 2 credits in BA art history which helped my self taught skills. I have sold paintings along the way, mainly to friends and acquaintances and family. I love to paint more now and improve. My ambition is an exhibition on Waiheke soon. Mosaics are my second passion. I copied exactly a few Byzantines big mosaic panels which taught me so much. Inspiration is everywhere on this beautiful island. cindyrey44@gmail.com
Rod Thomas has been painting and drawing for over 40 years. He has a love
of art and completed a BA in Art History in his early twenties.
Rod is primarily interested in portraits and landscapes carried out in
oil or pastel. He does life drawing when he can, as he believes the
challenge of getting down movement, weight, and likeness to be a
key ingredient to good drawing.
rpt@rptlaw.co.nz
Yolanda Whitehead
Life drawing is the cornerstone of my art practice. I treasure Monday
evenings when I join the group of fellow artists and our wonderful
models, and we endeavour to improve our skills. Most of the time
the results are not quite right, but every now and again something
happens, and one ends up with a lovely drawing or painting. It is
very rewarding.
yolanda.w@outlook.co.nz
Paul Dashwood
At the age of 6 Paul attended art classes run by a local artist for
whom art was a serious affair, any sort of misbehaviour resulted in
timeout in the broom cupboard. In spite of more time spent in the
cupboard than the drawing studio, Paul’s lifelong passion for art
was born. In a career of over 50 years Paul has been a cartoonist,
illustrator, designer, art director, and creative director. Paul and Paola
arrived on Waiheke Island in 1995 and have raised 2 children here.
They have been working together as brand consultants and designers
for over 20 years.
paul@pandpdashwood.com
Nicky Kukulka
I have been working as a graphic/packaging designer for over 35
years in a commercial environment. First creating life drawing
artworks at art college in the UK 40 years ago. I have rekindled my
love of life drawing since moving to Waiheke Island this year, having
joined the art community at the Catherine Mitchell Art Centre. My
normal art practice is in more of a graphic style using screen printing
and creating illustrations on repurposed surfboards.
nicky_kukulka@optusnet.com.au
Olivier Duhamel
There must be some good reasons why life drawing has been the
foundation of art education, through ages and civilisations. We hone
our observational skills in the hope of acquiring the proficiency and
abilities without which no technology, contemporary or ancient, will
save us from mediocrity. When I show some of my best drawings
people may talk about talent and aptitude. But they never see
the several hundreds of bad drawings. There is no such thing as
talent, just hundreds of hours of regular practice. Thanks to all our
wonderful models.
www.olivierduhamelartist.com
Lyndsay Meager
Well-known local artist Lyndsay Meager is a passionate member of
the Catherine Mitchell Life drawing group. Her strong and dynamic
drawings can be found in many private collections around the Island
and beyond.
lyndsayleem@xtra.co.nz
Mary Ferguson
With a love of drawing from the figure for many decades, there
is a fair accumulation of drawings in the studio. I have selected a
few, mostly recent, quick sketches and reinterpreted them for this
exhibition to form new lively compositions of five figures in one
work. Combining a passion for swimming, the coast, and water, I
have arranged these teams of five theatrical figures to suggest a sense
of waterfront activity and play.
marysmail@xtra.co.nz
Martha Meyer
My art work has taken me from water colours to murals to
sculptures. I like to tell a story with my pieces. The human figure
is an integral part of it. I continue with my study and passion for
getting to higher levels and our life figure drawing sessions match
my needs very well. I will forever be a student of all aspects of art.
artmart472@gmail.com
Peter Howard
Waiheke based painter Peter Howards excellent watercolours
feature evocative boats and seascapes around Waiheke and beyond.
Peter was mentored by senior well known Waiheke artist Raymond
Ramsay and is a long-time member of the Catherine Mitchell Life
Drawing Group.
peter.karin.howard57@gmail.com
Chiara Nitopi
I’m Chiara, originally from Italy, I picked up a love for art from my
grandad who was a prolific self-taught painter. I pursued my artistic
inclinations up until university when I took a detour in mathematics.
I reignited my passion for drawing and artistic expression when
I moved to New Zealand three years ago. My first love is clay
sculpting but pencil drawing and watercolours are my main mediums
due to practicality. Live drawing is a challenge to better myself with
each drawing and celebrate the beauty of the human body.
Chiara.nitopi.kiwi@gmail.com