• Howick and Pakuranga Times
The 85-year-old Howickian paints most days, gaining inspiration from colourful flora and fauna, and the great outdoors.
“When my husband died about eight years ago, I decided I would take up a hobby,” says Mrs McKeown.
“I was sitting drawing one day and my daughter said, ‘Mum, why don’t you see if you can get into an art class’.”
She took her daughter’s advice and is now the vice-president of Howick Art Group, which displays members’ work in Green Gables Cottage, Cook Street.
Artists are given the chance to exhibit their works on a rotational basis, and during January several of Mrs McKeown’s paintings are on display in a room at the cottage.
It’s the second time she’s had a solo exhibition but the experience is just as nerve-wracking, “it’s a bit scary”, she says.
Capturing the warmth of a setting sun or the splendour of a proud peacock is what drives the grandmother and great-grandmother’s art.
“I usually work from a photograph that I’ve taken myself. I’ve done a couple of abstracts, but I prefer real-life painting.”
While nature is her main source of inspiration, Mrs Mc-Keown is willing to give anything a try and isn’t concerned about selling her paintings.
“I paint what I like, rather than what I think might sell.
“I think I’m a bit eclectic – a bit of everything. I mostly use acrylic [paints], but I do use oils and pastels sometimes. I’ve tried just about everything.”
While she’s always loved drawing and had a talent for painting, bringing up six children didn’t leave much time for art.
Mrs McKeown has worked on projects for family members over the years, including a painting of a Tuscan castle she gave as a wedding present to her grandson. “The castle was beautiful, so I did a painting. They thought it was marvellous.”
Mrs McKeown puts paint to canvas as often as she can and does the bulk of her work at a local art studio.
“I decided to go to Tony Clarke,” she says. “His type of painting is what I wanted to do. You’ve got other people there. It’s a bit lonely on your own.”
Green Gables Cottage’s gallery is open from 10am-3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
