Schools in Blenheim and Nelson

Andrew Orr was Guest Artist at the recent exhibition in Blenheim, which was staged by nz paa. Andrew took a special school for apat members the week before the Exhibition commences, and as teachers it was wonderful to have this input into our painting lives. He is a gracious and gifted teacher, as well as being a wonderful artist. After the exhibition, there was another school held in Blenheim and then one in Nelson before Andrew flew off to Australia to hold a school in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Nelson Workshop

Christine Handley of Wanganui, teaching in a recent workshop in Nelson. The subject she taught was "An Elegant Lady" inspired by Erte. The class of 12 enjoyed learning how to use different products etc. and although all started with the same design each produced something different. Thank you Christine for your patience and for making the 3 days so much fun. (report sent in by Nancie Mace)

Teachers Report - Val Kenward

I have been painting on porcelain for 26 years and am quite addicted to this beautiful art form. I started painting with the late Margaret Reed in Paraparaumu and in 1984 came to live in Palmerston North and joined the Manawatu Porcelain Artists Association. I have two classes a week – a Monday evening one and another on Thursday mornings. I do love traditional painting, especially Roses and other flowers, but also enjoy painting animals and the challenge of trying new techniques and modern work. Another favourite is airbrushing which enables me to get beautiful rich backgrounds and vibrant colours. Although I like my students to paint what they love most, I find it necessary from time to time ,to stretch them and encourage them to try new techniques through class projects, At the moment I am Treasurer of our local Association, am in my third 2-year term as President of APAT NZ and have been co-opted onto our NZPAA Committee.. I also edit the NZ Section of the Australian Porcelain Decorator magazine. Porcelain Art is also my work - my husband and I run a small business importing porcelain, brushes, paints etc. etc. etc. which we send to artists throughout the country by mail order.

Teachers Report - Olwen Ireton

We used to have five members and met on Thursday afternoons. But over the last two years we have been reduced to only two members and we now meet every second Thursday afternoon. My roll now as teacher is really to criticize and advise, as both students have been painting for at least ten years. We do what we fancy and try to paint original designs - some modern. Also paint pets requested by friends.

Lower North Island Region News

Lower North Island Region (written by Val Kenward, Palmerston North). Ten members from the Lower North Island Region met at Shand China Co. in August. At all get-togethers (see below for other areas) we discussed last year's Units and considerable time was spent discussing the Unit Standards to be assessed early next year - Bone China and Monochrome. There was a suggestion that the judges give more explanation on the judging sheets, particularly when a piece does not reach the 70% pass mark.

Teachers Report - Emilia Hrstich

My classes are usually Thursday and Sunday, Sundays are mostly for people that are working and have difficulties getting free time during week. Thursday class has just finish painting tulips Dresden style on 12”plate and closed medium with lustres and magic crystal for the leaves and background. Quite a challenge and change from old Dresden style on a small fancy plate we have all done before. Sunday class started with me at the beginning of this year and I have been gradually introducing them to traditional and modern styles and it seems to work very well. Right now they are painting scenes and they came out with some brilliant ideas and different outcome with no tracing allowed - just reference photos we have. I am trying to finish my Christmas Decorations I started some time back but never had time to till now. Emilia Hrstich President Wellington Porcelain Artist Association

Teachers Report - Kaye Hurn

I have two classes a week, on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning and we paint around my dining table. The Tuesday class are students who began their china painting journey with me and have been continuing for several years now. The Wednesday class are fairly new painters. Both classes are a joy to teach. I love teaching beginners, and also those who have been painting for longer. A challenge for the Tuesday girls has been to paint a subject chosen by each student, in four different ways. Some chose lilies, some chose apples, and some iris. Their chosen subject was first painted (a) from real life, (b) the same subject as we would normally paint traditionally with our china paints, (c) the same subject designed geometrically, and lastly (d) the same subject painted as an abstract. We are half way through the project, and already the brain has been STRETCHED!! It is so exciting to have something that takes us out of the box (so to speak) - and to know with much thinking/planning/sweating/trial and error we can actually DO it!!

Teachers Report - Sue McClelland

Marton China Painters are a very small group who meet for painting on Monday mornings at the local Arts Centre under the tuition of Sue McClelland We are all at different stages and abilities but we have fun and enjoy our painting. Each Term we attempt a different subject but not everyone will choose to do it, there is lee-way for anyone who wants to get on with their own projects. So far this year we have painted Zebras, Pets and Pansies, next we are doing old buildings, preferably some of the interesting old homes or barns of the Rangitikei. As the work progresses I hope to be able to send some photos providing I can master the skills to get the photos onto my computer and then onto email. Regards to all from the Martonians, Sue McClelland

Bay of Plenty Region News

Bay of Plenty Region: (written by Kaye Hurn, Bay of Plenty Co-ordinator) A similar training day to Auckland (see note below) was held in Tauranga on the 8th September 2008 with Val Kenward sharing photos and information applicable to previous Unit Standards, and those we will be painting for 2009. There has been so much preparation to organise for these Unit Standards, and those who have presented pieces to be judged each year have learned so much (whether they passed or have to re-sit the subject!) As artists we need to be constantly stretched, and increase our skills and taking part in the Unit Standard programme is one way to do this. Thanks Val for all your hard work!

Auckland Region News

Auckland Region: (written by Peg Waddell, current Auckland Co-ordinator) A discussion day was held with Val Kenward (APAT NZ President) on September 5th 2008 to clarify some of the misunderstandings and ambiguities of our Unit Standard Schedules. Although the notes had been looked over thoroughly before the introduction of this learning module, still some of the implications did not become apparent until the subjects were actually trialled. Hopefully we have absorbed the intentions of the information and streamlined our thinking of the various aspects of each subject. The seven ladies who attended were very appreciative of the help and clarification that they gathered from this discussion. It was also beneficial to have the input of questions and points of view from the support teachers who were present. We talked in depth on the monochromatic painting to be a unit for this year, which brought to light the large variation and acceptance of this in other art mediums. We felt very strongly about the inclusion of Rookwood as an option in this unit. A change has been suggested for consideration. We are grateful to Val for her coming to Auckland to spend the time, and by showing us some examples and photos on various past units. She shared a small touch on how judges see it and some of the difficulties. We would like to have more of these examples and photos to reference for understanding ‘pre’ unit standards and more input ‘post’ unit standards from judges to overcome our mistakes and misunderstandings.