Oh my goodness, you won’t believe how breathtaking the area around Lake Tekapo is! I had the privilege of visiting the Mackenzie region for the first time back in 2025, and it was like stepping into a whole new world. The countryside there is simply stunning, so different from the rest of New Zealand. This painting is of the Church of the Good Shepherd, an iconic building right by the shores of Lake Tekapo. It’s a tribute to the hardworking…
Urban Sketching 1-Day Workshop I'm really looking forward to this workshop. It will be a fun day in Nelson where we can sketch a cafe scene, a market scene, buildings, people, etc. Contact Luanne Annable ([email protected]) to sign up!
Plein Air Painting, 28th January 2026, Broadgreen Historic House, Stoke Let’s try it again and hopefully this time we have nice weather on a Wednesday for a change. Meet us for plein air painting on Wednesday, 28th January 2026, 10am, at Broadgreen Historic House, 276 Nayland Road, Nelson, where the roses should still be blooming. Please bring your painting supplies, a chair, bug spray, sun screen, morning tea/lunch, and good weather. Plein air painting is scheduled for every Wednesday morning,…
Fish and Chips on Tahunanui has put a smile on people's faces while the original painting was on show at Wall To Wall Art Gallery, Nelson. The painting sold quickly and travelled to Auckland. However, if you like to put a smile one someone's (or your own) face you can now order A4 Prints and cards from www.nicolerussellart.com. This image shows two best friends having Fish and Chips at Tahunanui Beach. How did I come up with the subject? It…
Remember to come to my favourite exhibition in Queens Gardens! Saturday, 10th January 2026 (Sunday if wet) Art Group Nelson Queens Gardens, Nelson
This is a true story! None of the items in the painting are made up. The location is the corner or Aporo Road and Marriages Road in Tasman, South Island, New Zealand: One day an unknown neighbour decided to “beautify” the horse council sign by painting a horn to the horses forehead and adding the sign saying “UNICORNS” underneath. It made me giggle every time I drove past. Then, one day it was gone, stolen. The little shed used to…
Workshop Opportunity: Painting Beautiful Landscapes in Watercolour 13th - 17th April 2026 Mt. Aspiring College Campus, Wanaka Enrolments open in the first week of January. Enrol early as classes fill up quickly!
This painting shows two best friends having Fish and Chips at Tahunanui Beach. How did I come up with the subject? It is rather silly isn’t it? The idea came into mind because a famous heron called “Hamish” visited our local village, Mapua, regularly. The seal was often spotted sunbathing on the Maitai riverbank. In my mind I brought both of them together on my favourite beach in Tahunanui. I once watched a family having fish and chips on the…
From Tahunanui Beach you have a great view over to the Nelson Port. Earlier this year I painted there in the morning and the harbour was seen only as silhouette from the backlit sunlight. It was a beautiful scene. The painting shows the sandy walkway to the beach and the wooden signpost, which indicates the devision between the sunbathers on the right and the dog beach on the left. Nelson Port from Tahunanui Beach Medium: Watercolour Size: 42cm x 15cm…
Urban Sketching 1-Day Workshop I'm really looking forward to this workshop. It will be a fun day in Nelson where we can sketch a cafe scene, a market scene, buildings, people, etc. Contact Luanne Annable ([email protected]) to sign up!