Nature inspiration for artist
Mount Art Group’s annual exhibition on at the weekend
Pa¯pa¯moa artist Frances Ransley calls the Mount Art Group her second home. The long-term member is one of those whose work has been selected for the group’s annual exhibition, which takes place on the weekend.
She says she gets a huge amount of inspiration from nature, with some of her most recent work the result of a recent visit to the West Coast.
“I’ve also got a garden full of tropical trees and things — and I love it.
“It’s not always realism, I also do some things that are a bit more abstract.”
Taking on commissions helps her broaden her repertoire.
“I’ll take the challenge of anything from portraits to landscapes to abstract stuff — that’s me.”
Frances works in mainly acrylics, but also uses pencil and pastels.
“My dad was a good drawer
The Mount Art Group will be showing over 230 artworks which include oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, pastel and mixed media.
Sales will be “cash and carry”.
and I’ve drawn ever since I was a child. I did go to classes for about four years on and off and learned heaps about colour and the way
Entry is by gold coin donation. There will also be a raffle. The exhibition, at the Mount Surf Club, is on tomorrow and Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sunday from 9am-4pm.
to paint. “I”ve got three daughters and they are the same — they’ve drawn since they were little and they are into all sorts of things now in the art world.” She has been a member of the group for 24 years, is a life members and says members are very supportive.
“They’ve always been a good bunch of people who are approachable and even though there are quite a few new member, it’s still carrying on like that.”
The club has held an exhibition at the Mount Surf Club for 16 years and was formed 28 years ago.