Kaitaia artist captures coastal beauty for Te Ahu exhibition

Robin Shepherd putting the finishing touches to one of his exhibition works.

He spent his working life as a teacher and principal. Nowadays he's busy with his cattle and horses, but for all the demands on his time over the last 63 years Robin Shepherd has always found time to paint.

And now the more recent fruits of his labours are about to go on display in the Art Space at Te Ahu in Kaitaia.

There is a theme to his artistic endeavours, an ongoing bid to capture the essence of the beautiful Northern coasts.

That continues with the exhibition that will open on Saturday in the form of 26 acrylic sketches compiled over the summer just gone, depicting scenes from Puhoi in the south to Tapotupotu in the north.

"I am perpetually captivated by our wonderful coastal scenery, and I am always challenged to capture its beauty and charm," he said as he framed the sketches for display.

"For my money, our coastal scenery is the best in the world."

And he is always happy to undertake commissions, working from photos.

Working quickly in acrylic paints on heavy watercolour paper, the works have been painted from pencil sketches or photographs, although for most of his artistic career he has favoured oil paints, which he finds to be more forgiving than acrylics.

Ideally, he said, these 26 works would be re-framed to advantage in more generous frames and mounts, but to keep prices down they will boast neither non-reflecting glass nor heavy frames.

The exhibition, which will remain on display throughout June, will open with a public function at 10.30am on Saturday.