Description
Saturday 23rd May 2026 10am to 4pm and
Sunday 24th May 2026 10am to 3pm
Jan Byres Biography
Since retiring around ten years ago, I have developed my passion for drawing and painting. I particularly enjoy painting landscapes and being out in different weathers and lights to experience the moods of the land, sea and sky. My work is mostly ‘abstract landscape’ with a focus on colour, marks and texture, and emotional responses and the wairua of places.
My career allowed me to combine visual art and academia. As a primary teacher, the children in my classes did lots of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture. When I became a Teacher Educator, I had the great joy of teaching visual art and helping many teachers to overcome their fear of art and beliefs they were no good at it. I really believe that everyone can make art, it is not about ‘talent’, and that everyone is creative and has something to say visually.
I have lived in Te Waka a Maui (the South Island) since 1980 and currently live in Reefton on the West Coast. I attended weekly life drawing classes for years and once I retired had an amazing experience attending workshops in Italy and Colorado with Joan Fullerton, an American mixed media intuitive artist. I enjoy taking art workshops and being able to use my teaching experience to provide interesting and creative opportunities for adults to enjoy and explore art.
A brief outline of the 2 days
On Day 1 we will make three or more concertina sketchbooks and explore different mark-making with a range of media. On Day 2 we will practice some drawing techniques and use these and mark-making to further develop one or more of our concertina sketchbooks from the day before.
The aims of the workshop are to have fun and be creative, and to explore and learn some new art-making techniques.
Everyone is welcome. Participants don’t need to be able to draw or paint! The workshop is suitable for beginners with no art experience and for those with lots of art experience, and everyone in between.
Where: Short Street Studio
When: Saturday 23rd May 2026 10am to 4pm and
Sunday 24th May 2026 10am to 3pm
Cost: Members $125 Non-Members $135
A Material list will be sent out upon registration
Please bring your own lunch and Koha for purchasing paper
Please see our cancellation policy
