Artists of Martinborough

Stephen Allwood.

There are “wow” moments in our lives, and as an enthusiastic individual I have quite a few but walking into Stephen’s studio was certainly one of the “up there” ones. A large canvas entitled “Bellbird’s Bath” on the easel was amazing – up close it is a series of large, free brush strokes, that when viewed from further back becomes this painting that you can feel the energy of the bird shaking its wet feathers. For a wannabe artist like myself I could only look and feel that my attempts look like “finger painting in kindy” beside a real artist.

Stephen’s art is inspired by what is around us in everyday life, from the series of weta paintings in his studio to other paintings of his I have seen of sheep, old cars, cows, collections of beer bottles – all so brilliantly executed and vibrant likenesses of such ordinary objects.

He currently has an exhibition at Bowen Galleries in Wellington called “Insecta” and his next project is a exhibition in Auckland next year.

Stephen’s art journey started at the ripe old age of 4 and at 9 was painting in oils, was a member of the Masterton Art Clubby 14. At Art school he was influenced by a tutor who was a printmaker and followed that path for a while until returning to painting. He changed to working in acrylics but like returned to oils as he preferred the texture and ability to create movement.

On my journey through the world of “Artists of Martinborough” there is a common theme, that of people who notice the natural world around them and are inspired by the beauty in simple things. Stephen personifies this and we should be proud to call this man a “Martinonian”.

Gay Reed