It was only after he retired that Bernard Carroll picked up a paintbrush and began to create artwork that reflected his love of nature.
Now, he is one of eight local artists who are exhibiting an eclectic collection of art in the Richmond Mall, from oils and watercolours, to mixed media, mosaic, resin and jewellery.
The Richmond Art Group periodically exhibit their work in a vacant site in the mall and Bernard says it is not only an opportunity to sell some of their work, but also talk to the people who pop in for a look.
“We just love seeing the public and telling them how things were done and who we are.”
Bernard was a vet for 20 or so years and retired with his wife, Sharon, to the Nelson-Tasman region for its artistic community. Now they have a studio set up at their home where he works on one side, creating artwork that may include fossils, shells and even driftwood, while on the other side of the studio, Sharon creates mosaic pieces.
“We’re each other’s biggest critics, he says. “I started with one thing and got into collages and then into mixed media, and at the moment I’m playing with sculpy clay.”
He says Richmond Art Group is a bunch of friends who are mostly retired and like their art. One paints pictures of pots she photographed in Greece and Italy, while another is a master glass artist. Realistic paintings of Africa and New Zealand are the work of one of the painters in the group, while another member includes pencil drawings.
“We don’t find any boredom in later life.”
The exhibition is in a vacant store beside Westpac and will run until 30 June.
