Artist Michelle Sigley begins string of Whanganui riverside murals

Michelle Sigley has been working on the mural at the Whanganui Riverboat Centre for the past four weeks. Photo / Bevan Conley

Artist Michelle Sigley has begun her next string of mural projects, this time on the banks of the Whanganui River.

Sigley has spent the past month painting her first mural for the Whanganui Riverboat Centre on Taupo Quay, sprucing up the side of building with a 15m-long impression of the Waimarie that is inspired by an old photograph of the steam paddler.

She heard the famous centre wanted a bit of a facelift and offered her services. The Waimarie Operating Trust Board offered Sigley commission for her work, but she declined because she wanted to do it as a donation.

Guthrie Bowron helped with the project, donating some of the paint used for the mural, Sigley said.

"We want it to be old-fashioned looking, so it looks like the boat from the distance but then a bit more abstract up close."

She has used different techniques to give the mural its aesthetic, combining hand painting with work from the air brush.

"A lot of my favourite artists use this technique. It just gives it a bit more expression."

Sigley has done several murals for the Whanganui community, including the toilet tanks at Ototoka Beach, as well as the toilets at Kai Iwi Beach and Turakina Beach.

She said it has been hard painting on a rough surface, but she was enjoying the challenge.

"A lot more difficult. Corrugated iron isn't the easiest thing to paint on, especially when you are doing straight lines."

Michelle Sigley said the style of the mural was inspired by a historic photograph of the Waimarie. Photo / Bevan Conley

Weather was another issue, with Sigley saying it was difficult to paint on corrugated iron when it was too cold or too hot.

"You can't do anything if it is too windy, rainy or cold. The surface just holds heat and cold, so if you paint on it cold, it can just run off."

If the weather continues to play its part, she hopes to have the first mural finished by the end of next week.

She will paint a second mural on the opposite side of the building, with both paintings inspired by historic photos of the Waimarie.

After the Whanganui Riverboat Centre, Sigley will paint some murals for the Union Boat Club next door.

"That will be bright coloured and filled with things to do with the river."