Slap happy artist philosophical about future

Artist Tom McKnight is inspired by his travels and fishing spots. Photo Bevan Conley.

Whanganui artist Tom McKnight manages to combine his two great passions - painting and fishing.

His upcoming exhibition of 22 paintings at the Community Arts Centre depicts many of his favourite fishing spots as well as scenes from road trips he has taken.

Despite having no formal training, he has developed a distinctive style that captures the movement of waves and sunlit clouds in his paintings.

"I paint very fast and I really slap it on," he says.

"I discovered painting when I was in my 30s and I love it - it makes me happy."

McKnight says he used acrylic paints at first but they did not give his paintings the right level of intensity so he made the switch to oil paints.

There are beach scenes of Waverley and Patea, the Kapiti Coast and the road between Picton and Kaikoura.

Alongside the bright landscapes are portraits of both anonymous and famous subjects like rockers Bob Dylan and Keith Richards.

When he is not painting and fishing, McKnight spends his time studying philosophy and is completing a degree through Massey University.

"I have completed 22 papers and I have two more to complete," he says.

His studies have inspired three philosophical books and he recently completed the latest Art and Truth.

"I will be launching the books as well as my book of paintings at the exhibition opening next week," he says.

■ Painting exhibition and book launch by Tom McKnight opens at 6pm on Friday, April 21 at Whanganui Arts @ Centre 19 Taupo Quay.