Ruth Bioletti Artist

It’s been a heavy couple of weeks with the passing of my brother n law Simon Bioletti and the constant worry for a sick friend. I get impatient and try to rush the painting but that’s not how it works! I know I have to get everything into position before I can finally do the final sweep. Paint it as one image. So this week I worked on Gabriel’s hands which are central on the canvas. And then I turned my attention to his freckles. I want to do justice to his Scandinavian skin. Almost everyone in our family has been teased for having mottled skin, but I have come to love it.

Once when the Bioletti children were young, we were sitting together at Mac Donald’s when a young man at a nearby table noticed us. His gaze flicked from one freckle covered face to the next. He just couldn’t contain himself and called out…Very loudly I might add. “They all look the same!” Did you know the word "freckle" is actually Viking and comes from the Old Norse word freknur? If I paint them too dark they look like spots and too soft they don’t show up at all. I think I will return to freckles and try to get them right in the final coats.

Cheesecake enjoying her portrait this wet Kings Bithday weekend.

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

Manta Ray - Whai rahi in the shallows

I was up at a friend's batch when I came across a squadron of manta rays swimming in the shallows of the Whangārei Harbour.

I've always loved these mystical Oceanic fish, they actually swim through the Hauraki Gulf between October - March.

They are revered in Māori culture, representing grace, freedom and the ability to navigate life's challenges. It was like painting birds!

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

So far so good, the Easter holidays have turned into the school holidays and I’m getting some time to paint in the mornings. I’ve blocked in the main areas. The colour helps me see where I am and the perspective seems to be working.