Words paint a picture for local artist

PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS: Wanganui artist Pauline Allomes with one of her micrography paintings. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

Pauline Allomes makes art with a message.

Deeply concerned with environmental issues, Ms Allomes paints landscapes in indian ink with environmental messages written into them.

The technique is micrography - an artwork created from text that forms an image when viewed from a distance.

Ms Allomes is one of more than 100 artists taking part in Artists Open Studios Whanganui, to be held over the next two weekends.

Her micrography works are beautifully rendered depictions of pohutukawa trees leaning over water, or tree ferns in the bush.

While the presence of words are obvious on some paintings, with others a closer look is needed.

"This is one way of expressing how I feel about New Zealand's beautiful places and my concerns for the environment.

"Often art with an environmental message can be quite horrible to look at. I wanted to do something that people would enjoy, but still have that strong message."

Ms Allomes also paints more traditional landscapes using acrylic and, occasionally, oils.

She believes she has the smallest studio of all the artists taking part in Open Studios.

"I moved house in December and I had plans for a big studio, but it wasn't to be.

"But this studio functions well for me, and it has this lovely sunny outlook."

If it's sunny she intends to extend her studio onto the adjoining courtyard.

Ms Allomes is a regular at Open Studios.

"I get a bit nervous beforehand, because you're really putting your work, your heart and soul, out there. But I always end up enjoying it."

She was a health-care worker but now that she is retired, she is a full-time artist.

She was a late blooming artist, not attending art school until she was 50. She went to Whanganui UCOL and The Learning Connexion.

See more of Pauline Allomes work at www.freewebs.com/richpalette, and find out more about Open Studios at www.openstudios.co.nz.