"Snow Flurry over Mt Ruapehu, North Island, Zealand"

The watercolour was inspired by the landscape view of the 'Last Spike' on Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa, Central Plateau, located on the North Island of New Zealand. As I drove up on State Highway 48 to the location where a large group of watercolourists were staying on the mountain at a Lodge at the top of the Bruce Rd, for a five day 'Paintaway' event. On Saturday morning we walked up the Bruce Road onto the mountainside taking shelter in a rocky enclave where I assembled my easel towards the spike. The atmosphere is evident looking up at the 7960 ft summit where the wind was swirling across the sunny face of the snowy mountain peak. The challenge to work quickly as the wind built towards midday. The painting was completed on the outside verandah of the Lodge later that afternoon where there is an uninterrupted view of the mountain and rocky outcrops. By 5pm the weather had changed completely and it began to snow. This artwork describes my feeling, in awe of this great mountain where I have skied and played many times in my life. It displays my deep love of the outdoors in an environment second to none in the country where I live.