Margaret Fairs didn't know quite what she'd signed up for when she became involved in the first Tauranga Garden and Artfest, but remembers it well.
The Tauranga artist, who paints mainly in watercolours, said: "My neighbour's garden was going to be in this thing. We got talking and she said 'why don't you put your art in my garden?' I said, 'that's a good idea'."
And a good idea it was.
Margaret was blown away by the response at that festival in 1997. She said Western Bay garden- and art-lovers were hungry for the event, which she described as a "feeding frenzy".
"It was unbelievable. I was sold out within half an hour - I was barely set up. It's always been a good thing for me, from the very first one."
So it's no surprise that the Garden and Artfest has become a regular part of Margaret's life - she has been part of every festival since.
It plays a major part in selling her work. Margaret began painting in preparation for this year's Garden and Artfest - which runs from November 8-14 - a year ago. Her subject matter is usually beautiful flowers or local scenes.
This year's offerings include three paintings of white roses - called White Romance, Wendy, and Wedding Day - as well as a pink rose.
Her beautifully detailed floral paintings are a perfect match for the people who flock to the Garden and Artfest, Margaret believes.
"I paint for that audience - flowers and gardens."
Margaret is one of 70 artists in this year's festival.
More than 60 private gardens have been picked for the festival as part of the garden trail.
Each garden will display the art of a Bay artist, in all genres - from photography and installation, to sculpture and mosaics.
The trail gives art-lovers the chance to meet and speak with the artists and, of course, buy their work.
The trail is divided into four areas - Katikati, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Te Puke.
In previous festivals, Margaret's artwork has been displayed in garages or covered patios.
"I've had some beautiful spaces - once I had a sunroom with wooden floors and it was like my own gallery. It was lovely."
This time, Margaret is delighted to be matched with the Cambridge Rd garden of Clare and Peter Walker - which Margaret describes as "the most beautiful garden I've ever seen".
"It's an old English-style garden, with a lot of rambling roses.
"In a month's time when the festival is on, it will just burst out. It will be unbelievable. I'm so looking forward to it."
The festival is such a busy time that Margaret rarely gets a chance to enjoy the other gardens and events but, this year, she hopes to be able to sneak out to visit other venues.
This year's festival includes new events, such as the Bay of Plenty Times speakers' series, which features well-known names such as Peta Mathias, "bug man" Ruud Kleinpaste, and NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan.
And the TVNZ Urban Transformation is a "must-see" for Margaret.
Masonic Park will be transformed into a fantasy forest by artist Graham Crow and landscape designer Megan Wilson, and will be lit at night.
"I feel really excited about the changes this year and the way [organisers] are doing things," Margaret said.
The Greerton resident is a keen gardener herself, although she spends most evenings and weekends at the easel.
"I think gardens are artistic. You usually find the two go hand-in-hand," she said.
"I just love to go and pick my herbs and my own rocket, as well as the floral.
"And you've got to have a bit of drama in the garden," she said, pointing to a water feature in her garden in which a lion spurts out water.
Margaret is an artist known for her watercolours. An indoor venue such as a garage or sun room is the ideal place for her paintings - too hot, and they sweat, too wet, and the colours run.
While she loves what she calls "happy accidents" in her paintings, floral work is intricate and needs to be planned.
Earlier this year, her work appeared in a Harrison Gallery exhibition featuring only watercolour paintings.
She describes her paintings as eclectic, depicting life in New Zealand.
She often paints local scenes such as the beach at Mt Maunganui.
The Garden and Artfest includes a workshop series, in which experts will give hands-on advice, and share secrets about landscape design, attracting bees, the perfect lawn, floral Christmas decoration and flower photography.
And you can ditch the gardening gloves for the Garden Party.
This glamorous event will be held at Hawkridge in Bethlehem, which organisers describe as "one of our most extravagant private residences".
The Elms will host Wedding Belles and Devonshire Teas - a display of floral wedding designs of yesteryear, enjoyed with Devonshire tea.
The Bay of Plenty Times Art In The City will feature art in shop windows, a funky flora fashion show and container art.
The Tauranga Art gallery will host two floral-themed exhibitions - In Bloom by Karl Maughan, and Another Green World by Elizabeth Thomson.
And the whole family can get involved with the Classic Hits family fun days and Gardens in Schools.
For full event details, go to www.gardenandartfest.co.nz.
The festival runs from November 8-14.
Festival coming up roses
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