Sharing the art

GETTING COLOURFUL: Young artist Harrison Sheldrake at one of Holly Howman Evans' workshops flexing his creative muscles. Picture supplied

The next generation of artists are in good hands with creative and She Shed Tour organiser Holly Howman Evans passing on her skills.

Working with mediums like clay and oil pastels, Evans teaches everyone from adults to young children.

Originally from South Africa, she started teaching classes after being approached by eager artists and parents who wanted their children to pick up a brush.

Now she holds workshops throughout the year at her home on Makorori's hillside with stunning views over the ocean, looking over to the rusty lighthouse.

“It's fantastic. I take the kids down on the break and we go to the reef and discuss colours and look for octopuses. I look straight out to the sea and show them that it's not just one shade of blue,” Evans said.

Nature becomes the classroom.

“It's all incorporating art into it, looking at things with an artist's eyes in the break.

“We don't just stop and have tea, we're discussing and talking about art all the time.

“They might be unaware of it, but they're still learning in another way.”

Classes range from $35 to $50 per day, which includes supplies that Evans sources from around the world.

Numbers for the classes are kept small so all students get individual tuition.

“People don't want to come out with their art all looking the same. It's not recipe art. If people want to go on a certain pathway I can help them get there.”

Prospective artists can get in touch through her Facebook or Instagram accounts, Zany Zebra Art Studio.