New studio to offer 'affordable art'

Alice Hudson
A new home-based art studio in Havelock North aims to provide a space for emerging Hawke's Bay painters to meet and paint - as well as display and sell their work.
Kate Griffin Studio opened to the public this week, and is the brainchild of the Havelock North artist of the same name.
At the formal opening last night, Ms Griffin said she felt there was a lack of affordable art in Hawke's Bay.
"I have discovered there is a real gap in the market for reasonably priced art - somewhere for up-and-coming and emerging artists to display their work.
"I wanted a place where artists can get together and have workshops, to explore different techniques, have a bit of fun and display their work to the public."
The small studio can be found at the back of the house she shares with husband Blair and their two children. Last night, the paintings not only filled the studio, but the garden too. Some were hung on the back fence.
Ms Griffin's work, and that of four other local painters, would be on display at the studio for the next week and could be viewed by appointment.
Workshops would begin in November and Ms Griffin said she hoped to hold them monthly during summer on either Saturday or Sunday, with at least two local artists there to give advice.
She said she hoped the studio would provide a non-threatening environment for people to come and look at, and buy, affordable art as well as have a go if they wanted to. "Galleries can be quite strict, formal settings. I wanted a place for people to go and explore and have a go at painting, and to be able to talk to local artists in a relaxed atmosphere."
Ms Griffin has been painting on and off for the 10 years and has had two years formal training at the EIT. She has exhibited at the Hastings Community Arts Centre, but said most of her work had been sold through word-of-mouth.
After a two-year break to care for her young children, she had recently started painting again - mainly figurative work, such as the Cave People series currently on display.
"Basically, it comes from original life-drawing that I have developed. I do heaps of figurative work - heaps of bottoms. I don't like them to be too realistic though."
The four other artists whose work is displayed are: Caroline Graham, a painter who favours bold bright images as well as "the grungy, grey abstract look;" Lisa Burns, who started painting after renovating her home; Nelson-born artist Debbie Strachan whose works often reflect her love of tribal art; and Kirsty Heaton, who began painting two years ago and is exploring textured mediums.