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Meet Sean Mc Donnell – teacher, surfer, tour guide, celebrant and artist
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ/๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐๐?
I first noticed a strong liking for making art when I was about 5 years old. I received my first art book from my parents as a gift when I was 7 or 8. Drawing seemedย to come really naturally and I enjoyed creating my own illustrated stories. I had an amazing teacher at highschool who helped me to hone my painting and printmaking skills and passion for visual art. Ive now been creating and exhibiting my work for over 25 years and still love it.ย
๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ฅ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐…..๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ?
I think someone who is a craftsperson is also anย artist, and vice versa. I like Picasso’s idea that “every child is an artist”. I believeย that everyone has the ability to create something meaningful.ย
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐?
I mostly create art in my studio at Baylys Beach, in Northland. I also paint plein air works when Im goingย away on longer trips. Taranaki, Raglan, and Wellington. Im alwaysย drawing and usually bring a small sketchbook with me wherever I go.ย
ย ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ฃ๐จ๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ?
Great question. I will stick with New Zealand artists. Iโm really enjoying the surrealistย painters Guy Howard Smith and Logan Moffat. Iโm also a big fan of the expressiveย works of Philip Clairmont and the landscapes of Dick Frizzel and Denis Bourke.
๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐?
Luckily Covid has not. If anything the lock-downs gave me the opportunity to spend more time in my studio.
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค?
Iโve got a number of works in a number of galleries (mostly in the north Island.) The details are listed on my websiteย www.newzealandpainter.co.nz
I’m also found at @nzpainter on insta and also Sean Mc Donnell Artist on Facebook.
ย If you want to drop by my studio get in touch, Iโm at 3 Kelly St, Baylys Beach, Dargaville.