Serious Colour; latest works by Gina Guerin

Hawke’s Bay artist Gina Guerin was brought up in the South Island of New Zealand, and didn’t really start painting until her eldest daughter was six weeks old. Her biggest influence at the time was Nelson artist Jane Evans. She loved Jane’s vivid watercolours and wet-on-wet technique.

Gina’s subjects at the time were landscape, still life and nudes. Being a member of the inaugural ‘Hawkes Bay Art Trail’ enabled her to be a mum at the same time as painting and selling from home. Then Gina discovered acrylic on canvas; a much more affordable, contemporary look. Her influences at that time were Gretchen Albrecht, Max Gimblett and Helen Frankenthaler.

If Gina had to describe herself as an artist she would say that she’s a colourist. She has always been fascinated by colour and what happens when you put different hues together like acid lime green and rich purple. Her latest works feature large round boards full of colour and coated in a resin varnish to give a glass-like finish.