Keeping art in the family
Their paintings are hanging side by side in a mother-and-daughter exhibition and the artists say they have given each other courage to put their art into the public realm.
Michele Theobald and her mother Val Jones decided together that now was as good a time as any to have their first exhibition, Shared Aspirations.
‘‘It gives you a bit of courage,’’ said Theobald, ‘‘having someone else by your side’’.
Both of the artists paint in acrylics, with Jones saying they give her the opportunity to paint bright and bold, ‘‘a chance to express myself in a colourful way’’.
Theobald, from Palmerston North, said the medium allowed her to apply quick strokes of the brush to capture movement on canvas.
‘‘My aspiration as an artist is to continue to learn, to observe with a creative eye and mind and to paint with passion.’’
Most of the 20 collective paintings are of New Zealand land and seascapes and the exhibition will be the last of the year for Palmerston North gallery Taylor-jensen Fine Arts.
Jones, from Foxton Beach, said they were a creative family and that had been continued on with her daughter reaching for the paint brush and her son working as a graphic designer.
‘‘Painting, pottery, sculpture, singing, sewing, craft – this was the family environment I have grown in. This has been the fire in my belly, my love for all things art.
‘‘It is great to have a family of artists to bounce ideas off, to ask opinions on, to paint together, to encourage and support each other. Art is a lifetime of learning, improving and constantly evolving.’’
Theobald said she was always encouraged to be creative and so it had just become a part of daily life.
‘‘Creativity has been highlighted in all my work positions. I have used graphic art for developing logos and print advertising. As a teacher aide I have encouraged children, including my own two young boys, to observe and think about the world in creative ways.’’
Shared Aspirations will run until December 24.