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Meet Sean Mc Donnell - teacher, surfer, tour guide, celebrant and artist
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫/𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐃𝐍𝐀?
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 seemed 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.
𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚.....𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭?
I think someone who is a craftsperson is also an artist, and vice versa. I like Picasso's idea that "every child is an artist". I believe that everyone has the ability to create something meaningful.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞?
I mostly create art in my studio at Baylys Beach, in Northland. I also paint plein air works when Im going away on longer trips. Taranaki, Raglan, and Wellington. Im always drawing and usually bring a small sketchbook with me wherever I go.
𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Great question. I will stick with New Zealand artists. I’m really enjoying the surrealist painters Guy Howard Smith and Logan Moffat. I’m also a big fan of the expressive works of Philip Clairmont and the landscapes of Dick Frizzel and Denis Bourke.
𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞?
Luckily Covid has not. If anything the lock-downs gave me the opportunity to spend more time in my studio.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?
I’ve got a number of works in a number of galleries (mostly in the north Island.) The details are listed on my website www.newzealandpainter.co.nz
I'm also found at @nzpainter on insta and also Sean Mc Donnell Artist on Facebook.
If you want to drop by my studio get in touch, I’m at 3 Kelly St, Baylys Beach, Dargaville.