Retirement Bliss
Artists Drawing and Inspiration|Issue 29

This man discovered that he had much more time for art when he retired … so he took a correspondence course and settled into enjoying his creative passion at his own steady pace.

Don Rawding
Retirement Bliss

I knew there was something different about me when my painting of a tree with a red trunk was shown to my class of fellow nine-year-olds. Yes – I was colour blind. Like quite a few men, I was colour deficient in red, green and brown.

I was born in Chesterfield, England, in 1938. I progressed though school and in 1955 passed my GCE Art. It was one of the few subjects that I enjoyed; and that was the only tuition I initially had in art. I left school and became an apprentice draughtsman at Rolls Royce Aero Engines in Chesterfield. The training was very strict and I remember the first few weeks when I spent all day learning to print 0.160 inches high and black (B pencil). The letters and numbers were upright and highly standardised to prevent misreading of the finished drawings. To this day, I still prefer to write in block capitals 0.160 inches high.

In 1970, with my wife Aileen and our two small children, I moved to Johannesburg in South Africa. I remember the incredible sight of the Jacarandas in Pretoria, Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls. We were there for five years before returning to England – where I went back to Rolls Royce.

In 1982, we must have still had the travel bug because we all moved to Wellington, New Zealand – where we spent the next 23 years. It was there at the age of 60 that I started my artistic career with a tentative watercolour painting of the council offices where I worked. I remember my embarrassment as I stood in the Civic Square in my lunch break, drawing under the gaze of passers-by. The result was quite good, or so the lady in the framing shop said. Anyway, I was quite encouraged by this and continued to do watercolours in the time remaining after work and golf.

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Denne historien er fra Issue 29-utgaven av Artists Drawing and Inspiration.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA ARTISTS DRAWING AND INSPIRATIONSe alt
Pelicans To Portraits
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Pelicans To Portraits

This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes… and even a Scottish piper.

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6 mins  |
Issue 39
“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”

Throughout her story you can feel the delight and joy that radiates from this artist as she describes her passion for art.

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5 mins  |
Issue 39
The Noble Equine
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

The Noble Equine

Coloured pastel papers have been used to create this beautiful horse.

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3 mins  |
Issue 39
To Be at One With Nature
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

To Be at One With Nature

“My art is who I truly am, and it has given me a freedom to become ‘just me’,” claims this talented lady.

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3 mins  |
Issue 39
Making The Picture Sing
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Making The Picture Sing

Using her fine attention to detail, this artist creates a loving tribute to her subject.

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4 mins  |
Issue 39
Thanks to Da Vinci
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Thanks to Da Vinci

Wicked classroom caricatures and tattoos fired up the passion for this self taught artist to strive to produce the perfect drawing.

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5 mins  |
Issue 39
My Story
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

My Story

Sharing her passion for art has become a way of life for this determined and talented artist.

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6 mins  |
Issue 39
Link to Life
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Link to Life

This artist adores pastels … a medium which she believes can fall between painting and drawing. Her art is truly her link to life.

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4 mins  |
Issue 39
Don't Rock the Boat
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Don't Rock the Boat

What comes first … the title or the painting? For this colourful artist, it can be either – and experimenting can lead to accidentally creating individual techniques.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 39
Art for Steven
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Art for Steven

Some years ago, this man was inspired to make the transition from cartooning to painting. He had always wanted to express himself in this way, and he dedicates every painting to his late brother Steven who inspired him.

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7 mins  |
Issue 39