What makes her paintings stand out is the subliminal element of nostalgia — accentuated by the “golden hour effect”.
“Although I paint for myself I do often find myself attempting to capture aspects and sensations in my paintings that are historical in a sense. It comes from my desire to preserve and share my experiences with others.”
Her painting, Midway Surf Life Saving Club, using soft pastels, is one example of the several “reminiscence moments” to be found in the exhibition.
Alford has fond memories of visiting the iconic club building for a cuppa on a regular basis.
“The structure has now been demolished and another is rising in its place,” she says.
Like many others, the artist remembers spending hours on the balcony having lunch or coffee with friends and watching the ocean and the birds.
“It was a challenge to paint. I needed squares, rulers, protractors and other measuring and ruling devices to help me.”
Other nostalgic artworks include Sea Mist at Eastland Port and Waiteata Park.
Sea Mist came about a year ago, when the Waimata tugboat was still around, working at the port, and before the new cranes were in place.
“The morning I saw this scene — there was a sea mist obscuring the hills surrounding the bay and the morning light was bright on the water. It was stunning.”
In Waiteata Park, she captures the spectacular tree blossoms and changing colours of autumn.
“I live opposite this park and am able to look at it in all seasons and weathers,” Alford says in the blurb of the painting.
“In autumn the liquidambars are spectacular. There is often mist clinging to the background of the hills.
“On the right (out of sight) there is a line of huge London plane trees from the low morning sun. A stream runs through the park leading your eyes through the painting to the little bridge.”
One of her own highlights is the painting titled Winter Solstice at Pouawa.
“Early on the day of the winter solstice I drove out to Pouawa. Standing there I saw the sunrise revealing the shape of the hills and lighting the grasses in the foreground.
“It was a gorgeous moment and a beautiful morning and I wanted to capture the way it looked,” she says.
Her love affair with soft pastels started about 20 years ago.
“I used to go out and sketch every Monday around dawn with a late friend of mine. Often when I used watercolours, I would get frustrated by how long they took to dry.
“By the time it dried, the light had changed and the clouds had moved elsewhere. That’s when my friend suggested I use soft pastels.
“As soon as I picked them up and started using them, they were simply amazing.”
She does use oils and acrylics from time to time, but for her, soft pastels as a medium are more versatile and quick.
Lightscapes, on at Tairawhiti Museum until June 11.
