Characters grace Carterton Chorus wall

COLOURFUL CHARACTERS: Wai Art member Chloe King's work "Heavenly Chorus" is unveiled by Carterton Mayor John Booth.

Chloe King has only been to Carterton a handful of times -- but, as it was the place which kicked off her artistic career, it's only fitting her work should be pride of place within the town.

King's latest painting, Heavenly Chorus, featuring three women engrossed in a telephone conversation, has been added to Carterton's expansive outdoor gallery, sponsored by Wai Art.

Her work, painted on three 2.4m panels, has been, suitably, installed on the side of the Chorus building, with Mayor John Booth hosting an unveiling ceremony on July 25.

Heavenly Chorus is Hawke's Bay resident King's first outdoor mural and second major public commission within Wairarapa, the first being a label for Pawlonia Estate's "My Girls Bubbles" range.

King has never lived in Wairarapa -- though she has Carterton to thank for launching her creative works into the public eye.

A regular exhibitor with Wai Art, her journey began in 2009 when she submitted a painting for the organisation's former annual awards and subsequent public show.

"That painting was the first thing I'd ever sold," King said.

"I thought, 'gee, maybe I can make decent money out of this'. Wai Art got me on my way to becoming a professional artist -- so it feels fabulous to have my work on such a large scale where it all began."

King discovered painting "late in life", at age 66. She had previously been a potter but, having developed arthritis, she took up sketching and painting as a "less taxing" medium.

King eventually developed her own distinct style -- people in a cartoonish style, with sumptuous lips, long noses, curvaceous hips (on the women) and slim legs -- and her work soon began to sell, both at Wai Art events and exhibitions in Hawke's Bay.

All her "characters" are depicted enjoying everyday, leisurely pursuits, such as coffee and wine with friends, picnics on the beach, bike rides and walking the dog.

"People are always recognising someone they know in my paintings -- their neighbour, their sister, or even themselves," King said.

Her Heavenly Chorus work features similar characters -- two matrons having a chat through an-old fashioned telephone exchange, with the telephone operator eavesdropping.

The concept, thought of by Carterton district councillor Ruth Carter, was perfect for King's style.

"When I got the email from Wai Art, I thought, 'that sounds exactly like me'.

"An image came to mind straight away."

King was unable to attend the unveiling of her work, but said she was impressed with the rendering of her original canvas painting onto the three 2.4m by 1.2m composite boards.

"I was gobsmacked -- they got the colours exactly right."

Wai Art, with support for Carterton District Council, has been installing outdoor artworks in Carterton since 2010, with 23 murals on display to date.