Local artists Matt Guild and Anna-Marie Kingsley have had their photo-realistic artwork selected by Waikato Society of Arts for a prestigious award, making them two of New Zealand's top 50 artists.
Playing in old sheds, riding in the ute with dad and eating Watties spaghetti are just some of the things
many Kiwi kids remember from their childhood, and Mr Guild has captured these and many more childhood memories in paint.
"My work is all about childhood memories and things that give New Zealand its identity and makes it special," he said.
"It's about what it means to be a Kiwi."
His painting, Thirsty, was selected by the Waikato Society of Arts for the National Painting and Printmaking Award 2011, to be exhibited alongside the work of New Zealand's top artists.
"It is quite an honour to be involved in something like this," said Mr Guild.
Originally from Invercargill, he draws inspiration from his childhood years down south and from his home of Martinborough, where he has just opened his studio gallery, Red Barn Art.
"Being in the Wairarapa is great inspiration for painting the old boats and trucks," he said.
His paintings are about light, shadows, reflections and the way things look in their environment.
"I love capturing the detail, the way a certain object looks in a moment of time."
His work will also be featured in Denis Robinson's latest book, New Zealand Gallery, which showcases the work of 60 of New Zealand's most popular local and national artists.
Mr Guild is also exhibiting as a guest artist at Wairarapa Museum of Art and History on December 17, and prints, T-shirts and greeting cards will be available from next week.
Mrs Kingsley of the Wai Art Trust had her work, Tapestry Series 5, selected for the award. She says she loves to paint old things found in sheds.
"I like painting metal and wood," she said. "I'm not a landscape person."
She said she does work like this because no other artist in New Zealand does it. "It comes down to marketing," she said.
Mrs Kingsley's work is exhibited at Icon Gallery, Masterton, Carterton Exhibition Centre and Academy Gallery in Wellington.
She said she entered all of the national art competitions.
