End of the Year

On December 26, we were in the middle of a hot and sunny weather marathon. We walked down to the beach (near Belt Road, New Plymouth) and sat in the shade of the red-flowering pohutukawa trees. Fruitcake and cups of tea as we watched schools of minnows jump around in the near-still sea water. I've brought my sketchbook down here before but haven't been inspired until now. The bottom drawing is my ballpoint pen drawing from the day. The top one is a Photoshop painted version that I did at home later while trying to remember all the colours.

Lots of action at Port Taranaki in the distance. The next day a large cruise ship was coming in for a day visit. Not a big deal for some cities, but it's been some time since one came in around here and there was lots of interest. The morning of the arrival, we went out to the end of the breakwater to watch it come in. It was raining lightly, making everyone soggy, but the atmosphere was high with people waving to the passengers. After the ship docked, it fined up for more hot weather. 

It's now the last day of the year and it's raining again - this time for a much longer period. Time to have a look at this year's sketchbooks and get ready for another year of sketchcrawls.

TSB Showplace, Devon St, New Plymouth

This is the New Plymouth Opera House. It's decorated as you imagine it to be with ornamental everything. A new part had been added to the adjacent building to add size and facilities. It was renamed the TSB Showplace. Since the Taranaki Savings Bank (TSB) likely sponsored the upgrade I am guessing that naming rights were part of the deal. (I've only lived here for a few years so I'm not sure.)

The building just past that is an Irish style pub named Peggy Gordon's. Most cities have at least one, with good reason. 

The town seemed bustling this week. It's probably the Christmas rush that has everyone buzzing but the nice sunny weather is coming back and that also helps get us outdoors.

Mr Chips

On my desk, I have a small sculpture of a demented puffer-fish. I have a friend who makes these as well as other larger crazy sea creatures. I helped her make some brochures once and as a gift she sent me a one of her smaller fish. She also gives each of her fish a name but this one arrived to us nameless. We thought that the row of bottom teeth seemed like a carton of french fries, or 'chips'. Down here in New Zealand there is manufacturer of chips that supplies several of the fish & chip shops that goes by the name of 'Mr. Chips'. It seemed perfect for our little guy.

Pirate Woman with parrot

A rough idea sketch of a woman with a parrot on her shoulder (and looking a bit like a pirate.) This is for an illustration on my other blog. The final version included a pirate-like hat as well. Click here to see the finished version.