Virginia Watson, Artist
A Unique Vibe
My paintings are distinctive with quite a lot of texture. I use a lot of paint!
I paint with a knife, which gives my textured, dramatric look. And the elements of softness in my works get a different treatment, such as thin layers, applied with a brush.
Based in Nelson, New Zealand, I mostly paint two styles ...
Wading and Shore Birds on Beaches, Estuaries & Mudflats
Observing coastlines and inlets up close by bike, I love the rhythm of the mud flats, tides, and the fabulous leggy birds.
The birds I paint most include: royal spoonbill, pied stilt, pied oystercatcher, white heron, white-faced heron
I paint the wading birds of the estuary, and I love to paint the estuary itself as well.
New Zealand (South Island) Landscapes
A born and bred South Island Kiwi, I've been surrounded by dramatic, peaky landscapes all my life.
My paintings are all places I love, and have usually 'researched' by bike more than once.
Journey from executive suite to artist on a bike
I learned to paint as an adult NCEA student in 2004, and for years fitted it in as a hobby between bringing up a family, projects, and professional work.
In 2018 I left two roles - an executive Marketing Director, and an independent director on a company board. My heart badly needed some freedom and adventure.
But it wasn't long before the brain soon needed something more ... Out came the paints in 2020, but after a 10 year painting hiatus, the work was terrible, and I needed to go back start again. And work hard!
Fast forward, and I'm now a working artist represented in galleries with exhibited, sold, commissioned, and awarded works.
I'm still learning to balance work and play. Art and biking the trails make it easy, because one feeds the other.
Where to see my work in real life:
- On Tasman's Great Taste Trail (see pic above)
- Wall to Wall Art Gallery, Nelson CBD
- Purpose Gallery, Mapua
- Rare Creations, Mapua Drive, Mapua (small works only)
- Classic Cars Museum Store
- M'Kee Gallery in the Suter (seasonally)
- My studio, or placed in your home if local (use contact page to arrange).