New painting release

With my ‘Recollection’ exhibition on the horizon at the end of October, it is time to release a new painting. As you are one of my subscribers to my blog you are the first to see each new piece as it is released into my exhibition sneak preview page!

Rush Cottage
13″ x 6″
330mm x 150mm
Watercolor on Arches 300gsm Hot Pressed paper
© Susan-Harrison-Tustain

Here is my watercolor painting of a 1930’s cottage wash-house scene. We love to stay in this cottage for a few day’s break. It is nestled amongst the vines in a beautiful vineyard in Havelock North, Hastings, New Zealand. Often used for wedding guests, this cottage is full of character and in the Spring, Summer and Autumn you can eat at the outside table in the garden, surrounded by vines and while absorbing the old world atmosphere. Saturday morning Farmers Market is held just two minutes walking distance from the cottage. A secluded hide-away full of inspiration for many paintings!

I love to paint the ordinary everyday life scenes that are often overlooked. These things captivate me, the patina in the old concrete sink, the brass taps and pipes, the aged wood, and window latches, the beckoning scene at the window – all these things could easily go unnoticed. But when I look at this watercolor painting, my thoughts go back to this 1930’s cottage wash- house. I imagine all the people who have used this work-space, scrubbed and laundered, while looking out to this restful cameo outside, framed by ivy.

This painting is about those people – a portrait of an earlier time. I hope you enjoy it.

Recollection Exhibition 2011

I love to hear visitors talk of my exhibitions and hear they still live in the memories of those who attended. My previous exhibition was no exception. As usual we saw approx 3000 visitors attend the two day event. Guests came from all over New Zealand, Australia and we also had some from the US.

As you can imagine a major exhibition such as this takes a huge amount of organization and time to prepare for. The oil and watercolor paintings were the result of four years work and the attention to every detail of the exhibition arrangements began over a year prior to the exhibition. Lighting, easels, scaffolding for the lighting, magazine articles and interviews, books, invitations, classical trio playing – dressed in white, staff, advertising, tickets, and of course not least of all – there is the four year’s of oil and watercolor paintings that are unveiled at each exhibition. These paintings show-case my inspiration for all of the things that take my breath away. It is a huge show and one I love to create for the visitors.

My goal is to make my exhibitions something much awaited and also remembered. Many of you travel great distances to attend and I feel it is my pleasure to make the exhibition something you will enjoy in anticipation,

Click on the banner below to visit my painting exhibition page where you can find details on the exhibition including a sneak preview of some of my exhibition oil and watercolor paintings.