New start for artist in Eltham

NEW beginnings are celebrated in Renaissance, the new exhibition of paintings at the Village Gallery in Eltham.
The bright primary colours, embellished with gold of her mixed media paintings, celebrate a rekindling of the passion for art that has been dormant for some time for artist Diane Vassey.
Diane has painted for many years and has always been drawn to making art. She passed her preliminary Diploma of Fine Art which meant she could have gone to Elam School in Auckland, but her father felt that his daughter needed a more practical (and possibly better paid) career and so she trained in architectural draughting and design.
After a move further north to the Bay of Islands, Diane opened an art gallery and began painting a variety of works for sale there and, as the popularity of her art grew, began supplying tourist galleries and outlets all over the country with small 'iconic' New Zealand paintings.
After moving to Auckland Diane had two shops – one in Devonport and one in Victoria Park market – selling her art works.
A change of circumstances meant Diane put her paintbrushes away for several years and it wasn't until her move to South Taranaki about two years ago, and a new home with a studio, that her passion for painting was rekindled and she has also started paper moulding, making her own paper and moulds to create a variety of small works of animals, birds and flowers. Many of the paintings have also been mounted with papier-mâché embellished frames.
Renaissance is truly a celebration of new beginnings as well as a colourful way to celebrate spring.
The exhibition will be at the Village Gallery in Eltham's High Street until October 22. The gallery is open 10am to 3pm from Monday to Saturday.