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The Weekend Sun
Bringing outdoor impression into the home Ten years on from returning to her childhood love of painting, Pahoia artist Debbie Emslie is not looking back. The talented watercolourist – who last year won first prize at the Tauranga Society of Artists annual exhibition – is one of two feature artists at next week’s Omokoroa Art Society show. Debbie, who far prefers to paint outdoors for the natural light than from a photograph, was spurred on to reignite her passion for painting when her children were growing up. “When I turned 40 I decided it was time to do something for myself, so turned my attention back to art.”
A correspondence course in art and creativity got her “back right into it” and she was soon wishing she had returned her focus to art earlier. The initial course was followed up with more training, including fortnight-long painting school trips to Europe where she would do paintings a day under the guidance of tutors. “It’s pretty exhausting, but you learn so much. It has been great for my watercolour technique.” Debbie, who describes her style as impressionistic, says she loves working in watercolours because of the translucent quality it brings to painting, which helps her capture the light. From her Pahoia home, Debbie loves to take her easel outdoors to paint the harbour – her favourite subject – usually
Pahoia artist Debbie Emslie is exhibiting at next week’s Omokoroa Art Society show.
Powell. The annual show at Settlers Hall, Omokoroa Road, includes about 200 works by 20 society members and runs from Sept 16 to 18 and is open 10am-5pm. Exhibition organiser Fran Ashley says a show highlight will be an exhi-
painting four or five days a week. Along with Debbie, the other feature artist at Omokoroa Art Society’s annual show is Mary
Something for the sexes Four shows in one; the ‘super show’ Bay of Plenty Home & Leisure Expo showcases the bets of the region’s home and lifestyle products, with a real spring focus. The Expo is the first to be held at the new TECT Arena at Baypark, Mount Maunganui on September 16-18, 2011. With his and her world, there is something for everyone – with toys for the men and lifestyle and beauty for the women.
In conjunction with Bay Events, The Weekend Sun has seven double passes to give away to the lucky readers who can tell us what dates the Expo is on? Enter online at www.sunlive. co.nz under the Competitions section. Entries must be received by September 13.
bition of “colourful, imaginative art works” from students at local schools; Omokoroa Point, Omokoroa No. 1 School, Whakamarama, Pahoia and Matahui By Hamish Carter Road schools.
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