Artist captures faces at Marton Harvest Fair

Mike Ryan. Photo / Lin Ferguson

In the dappled shade of a large tree alongside Marton Park, portrait artist Mike Ryan had his easel set up and his pencils poised.

The annual harvest fair on Sunday, March 26 was well underway with 8000 people, over the course of the day, enjoying the more than 160 stalls set up in the park.

Mike said he was very happy to be part of the fair and loved nothing more than sitting looking at the passing throngs of people.

He was seated next to the pumpkin pie competition stall, which he said was fascinating.

"You wouldn't believe how many people were interested in pumpkin pies, especially the making and how they taste."

And many people from small children to adults were very keen on posing for a pencil portrait.

"It's different to having a photograph of yourself - I think people see it as a little more personal and special.''

Mike is an experienced art teacher and artist at Square Edge in Palmerston North.

His art courses cover the basic techniques at Art which include finding the artist within, Composition and light and shade.

He has taught at several schools and has been involved in many education programmes.

Mike said he's very passionate about teaching and believes teaching art is about discovery and empowering the artist within.

"I love to do portraits I enjoy drawing people always have.''

He remembers one man he drew who was mentally handicapped and had constant facial tics which distorted his face.

"I managed to draw him between tics and the final portrait was of quite a handsome man.

"Years later a couple came up to me when I was drawing in a shopping mall and told me the man had died and that the only picture they had of him for the funeral was the portrait I'd drawn years before.''