Watercolour painting on quality watercolour paper

Sarah-Jane Smith spent some years travelling and living in Europe and Asia. During time in Hong Kong she studied watercolour painting at the University. Smith’s illustrations in the book ‘Two Kiwis in Hong Kong’ written by Pat Gregson demonstrate her skill in this medium.
On her return to New Zealand at the end of 1999 she continued to develop her painting skills. By 2003 she was working in acrylic and oil, enjoying the freedom of painting the landscapes of New Zealand in both media. Her work has sold in numerous group shows.

Last year she was accepted as a practicing artist at The Academy of Fine Art in Wellington – a well earned acknowledgement of her work.
“I see in the landscape of New Zealand, courage and pride, not pretty but there, surviving, determined and steadfast...a bold ‘coming home’ feel unique to New Zealand. This is my reference point to that spirit reflected through the pioneers before us and down to the Kiwi spirit today.”
Sarah Smith’s exhibition features prominant land forms and the landscape influenced by their forms.

Largely self taught, Smith’s figurative landscapes describe views and impressions that are often seen more by tourists than New Zealanders. Smith goes on site to capture her viewpoints, looking across Auckland (and other well known places in New Zealand) from summit to summit, gauging interesting compositional direction in her work.

Although documenting the landscape, her works contain a commentary on urban impact. In ‘Waitakere Ranges Looking to Sky City’ (cover illustration) one has the sense of being in a rural past and seeing a strange fantasy future that is our present.