The Western Bay is a very colourful, inspiring and artistic place.
Some of the most amazing artists live in Tauranga and surrounds, and I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of them over the past few years.
Some of these people, and their art work, have made a huge impression on me.
They have inspired me to a point that I have just registered for a photography course and I am even contemplating buying oils, canvases and an easel.
If I had a bit more time and wouldn't get so frustrated and impatient with my pathetic attempts to paint something half decent, I would be at the Mount on the next fine day sketching away.
Maybe I should just stick to admiring other people's work for now.
I love the Tauranga Art Gallery and there are plenty of amazing smaller galleries and art shops in the Bay that are well worth a visit. You can find a bunch of open artist studios in and around town as well, if you know where to look.
I quite like the new Gallery 59 that opened a few months ago next door to Prestige Framing on 9th Avenue and I am also charmed by The Art Boutique on Cambridge Rd.
Of course there is the Cargo Shed on Dive Crescent. If you are a local and have never been there, you are seriously missing out. It is open every Saturday and Sunday, it's a true treasure for Tauranga and no, it is not just there for the cruise ship people.
Every Thursday, you'll find the arts pages in the Bay of Plenty Times B-section. This is where you will find the stories about local artists, whether they are musicians, painters, designers, sculptors, woodcarvers, or other artistic folk.
There's also the column from Creative Tauranga CEO Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell, which highlights even more art events and happenings.
Most of these stories will make it to www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz, too.
Creative Tauranga, a not-for-profit organisation, has an interesting gallery at their premises on Willow St.
If you haven't been there yet, why not pop in for a look next time you are downtown? There is always something new and exciting to see and the knowledgeable staff are happy and available to help out if you have any questions about art, whether it is about your own work or someone else's.
I have to admit that some things just work better in the real world than online, and art is one of them.
Then again, the internet can certainly help if you are looking for an original work of art for your walls.
Google is a good starting point, and so is Trade Me.
One day I will invest in something original and beautiful as I doubt I will create it myself any time soon.
We told a story in the Bay of Plenty Times in July about Papamoa artist Lynne Iggulden, who had been invited by the Broadway Gallery in New York to exhibit her paintings. The only reason she made it that far is because she set up a website to show the world what she does so well.
Mrs Iggulden's initial success came through the website www.artfind.co.nz. Since she has listed her work online she has attracted buyers from as far away as Scotland and Canada.
It's an interesting site, profiled as the online space for original New Zealand art, and there is a lot to see and do on the pages.
If you like to keep it local, start with www.creativetauranga.org.nz. It lists all major and minor events and has a fantastic alphabetically listed overview of local artists.
If you are curious about who's creating all these magnificent art works in the Bay, just click on the Artist tab, make good use of the links, and get inspired.