<![CDATA[KARIN MCCOMBE JONES ARTIST - Blog: Colour The World]]>

<![CDATA[KARIN MCCOMBE JONES ARTIST - Blog: Colour The World]]>Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:35:02 +1200Weebly<![CDATA[Wellington Art Show 2025]]>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:38:23 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/wellington-art-show-2025

Lady pictured with donkey was so taken with the work she asked friends if they thought they could set up a 'Give A Little Page'. Another of those giggle moments.

]]><![CDATA[KINGS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION]]>Sat, 22 Jul 2023 03:34:52 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/kings-birthday-celebrationWhen The British High Commission asks if you would be willing to hang your Welsh landscapes in a Welsh Themed room. The event was to be His Majesty's birthday celebrations at the High Commission residency called Homewood in Wellington.
What do you think my response was?

Delighted, surprised, honoured are just a few words used. It was held on June 30th. 2023 and my works including two new specially created pieces graced the walls of THE WELSH ROOM along with Penderyn whisky and other Welsh specialties.

Her Excellency ,Iona Thomas with Donna purveyor of Penderyn spirits in New Zealand with 'Something Colourful This Way Comes' - Llyn Maelog, Anglesey

Porth Dafarach - SOLD at this fabulous event to a private collector

Ynys Llandwyn on Ynys Mon created especially for the celebration event, as lots of previous Welsh landscapes I have painted have either sold or been commissioned works. Ynys Llandwyn is a magical, tidal island with views across to Eryri - Snowdonia Mountain ranges over on the mainland of Wales.

The other new work completed for the event in acrylic was "Meini Hirion : Standing Stones", Holyhead Park, Anglesey.
These standing stones are less than a mile from where I lived in Holyhead and hold huge meaning for me, with so many memories of playing on top of them and running around them as a child.

In 2017 I painted ' Land of My Mother' 18” x 18” x 1.5 inches 45 cms x 45 x 4 cms
- this daffodil painting which hangs in my own home and 'Land of My Fathers' . ('Land of My Fathers' hangs in Scotland.)
I took 'Land of My Mother' to hang in the Welsh Room as how can a room represent Wales without having our National Flower present.

A Jones family affair. My son helped to take me to the High Commission with my works. Meini Hirion would not have fitted into my small car. Behind Tomos are workers setting up the Scottish room.

The whole event was wonderful to be a part of and an absolute honour to have been chosen.

]]><![CDATA[Pataka Arts Trail 2019]]>Mon, 25 Mar 2019 22:27:41 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/pataka-arts-trail-2019

Pataka Arts Trail March 2019 it was a very good weekend. But, to use those words seems so wrong. As its the weekend that 50 human beings lost their lives here in New Zealand. And for that I am so sorry. So saddened by the atrocities that happened here in my new country. As I came here in 2004 to make the land my home. I am an immigrant to these beautiful shores at the other end of the world. And my heart aches when I think of the horrors committed here.
New Zealand will change and for that I am sorry. Having gun laws change and semi-automatics banned I applaud. There is no place for them anywhere in my opinion.

To the people that came out and there where hundreds I give my heart felt thanks.
I smiled, chatted, painted a wee bit and shed a tear with a couple of you. As one lady at the very beautiful and touching opening said 'We need to go on, we need to celebrate the good things and Art is one of these'

Living coral is the Pantone colour of the year 2019. Its a colour I love and always have. I usually mix its tint and use it somewhere in my paintings.
Here was a visitor to my open studio all the way from British Columbia, Canada. I asked her permission to photograph her viewing my work, as she was wearing the colour featured in the works she was admiring - my series of dogs lusting after donuts and the Adelie penguin. We chatted as I used to live in Powell River, B.C and was represented in a gallery over on Texada Island too. The lady knew Powell River and connections were made.
For every person who stopped smiled, giggled, purchased, and chatted you made my weekend. Adults whose shoulders moved in laughter at my dogs antics with a donut, you brightened my day seeing this response. A gentleman who wished he had enough money for the giraffe that made him grin I wish I could just hand him over to you, to make you grin often. To the gentleman named Robert that took a long time looking at my work, could not remember his email in order to sign up for a newsletter. But, later sent a text with it. Thank you. It was an absolute honour to meet you.
Friends visited: which always makes me happy as I'm one of a family of three - so friends are my whanau here in New Zealand.

As a young girl came over wearing the gorgeous neon colour I love so much I asked her mothers permission and hers whether I could photograph her viewing my work. They agreed thankfully.
For me you see colour brings happiness. So whenever I saw someone wearing Living Coral or neon orange I smiled. And smiles help to heal. Just as another lady said Art Heals.

To those of you that signed up for information about my art, events and workshops - THANK YOU
(Diolwch y fawr - in Welsh) Nga Mihi in Maori.

I will send one out every couple of months.

Karin

]]><![CDATA[THE PAST THE PRESENT THE FUTURE]]>Thu, 14 Feb 2019 23:51:33 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/the-past-the-present-the-future

Commissioned by a Scottish lady
What could you do as an Aunt for a gift to your family members?

A gift you feel will last.

Last longer than the stuff the children play with as seven year olds. A gift that incorporates your past, but is a present for your future.

An Aunt who loves art. An Aunt who believes in and nurtures creativity.

You could begin the process of commissioning a colourful artist to paint your seven nephews and nieces. Favourite photos of yours and theirs (the children and or the parents)that were taken at specific moments in the children's lives.

As the person commissioning the work you have a say in the colours of the paints to be used. Or as this Scottish Aunt did you allow the nephews and nieces to decide what are their favourite colours. After all, this Aunt was not just thinking about THE PRESENT she was to be giving them she was gifting these commissioned works of young children to older children and their parents. Presents that would become gifts in THE FUTURE as 21st. Birthdays occur.

As the artist who has painted four of the seven nieces/nephews so far. I have revelled in the challenge. I have sent numerous emails and had conversations via FaceTime about which photos work best. Which capture the Childs spirit and personality. Where the photo was taken is often important. Who else was present. Grandparents watching on - so they can share in the memory when the completed painting is revealed. As they were there on the day the original pic was shot.

In my work I use symbolism and embed these either behind the final painting in the blocking in, underpainting stages. Or they remain visible like crosses or a homage to tartan. As seen in the second niece painting. I have woven in certain numbers of daisies to represent family members like grandparents living in other countries to the children. But symbolising they are always there with them.

They are the roots these youngsters grew from.

I have received cards of thanks from the children when they have seen the paintings. I have had other Aunts present at a big reveal well up with tears.

All moments that make me the artist love what I have achieved. Knowing these paintings are loved and to be a part of the original models futures is something quite rare and very, very special.
The materials I work with are quality acrylic paints, canvases and varnish so the paintings should last well after the children have turned 21 and the works become theirs.

If client is not happy on completion of painting I would do everything in my power to rectify

With over 40+ commissions created of pets, children, adults and landscapes I have NOT had one unhappy client

My works can be found in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Wales, and the U.S.A
www.karinmccombejones-artist.com https//:instagram@karinmccombejonesartist

]]><![CDATA[Top Ten Finalist 2018]]>Sat, 07 Jul 2018 00:15:30 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/top-ten-finalist-2018

Beginning of June 2018 I received a letter congratulating me on being selected as a finalist in the bi-annual Arts Review. Whoop whoop!!! On Awards night I was even named 'out loud' by one of the prestigious judges as a top 10 finalist. For those that know me personally you may think this was the moment I embarrassed myself and others with a loud 'YAY'!!! But, nope...just a wee yelp came forth in my shock and glee. Then on entering gallery a little louder one escaped when I spotted 'You Will Be Mine' right by voting box (wink, wink emoji should be here!) for Peoples Choice Award. So if you are in vicinity of Wellington between now and August 5th. you could go along to exhibition and even vote!!! There are some great works, BUT, if you like pink, dogs, donuts or all three then mine is the one to choose! So go forth and vote #3

]]><![CDATA[ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE 19th June 2017 Karin McCombe Jones]]>Mon, 04 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.karinmccombejones-artist.com/blog-colour-the-world/all-the-worlds-a-stage-19th-june-2017-karin-mccombe-jones

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
William Shakespeare Monologue from ‘As You Like It’
As a Drama teacher and lover of Shakespearian plays using this part of one of the bards monologues as inspiration for a series of portraits seemed an ideal fit. In 2015 I started painting a series of ‘metaphorical self-portraits’ using animal references to portray traits of my character and showing me playing some of my roles or stages of my life thus far.
1. Toddler – The naughty little monkey stage

2. Teenager – Thinking you know everything stage

3. Experimenter – Try anything years stage, older but not yet particularly wiser

4. Explorer – The working to enable travel years

5. Mother – The Don’t mess with my child stage

Motherhood changes everythingThe feeling that you would do anything to protect your own materialises at this stage! Who could portray this better than a Grizzlie bear, especially as migration to Canada had now ensued.

6. Scottish Years – working in the Highlands of Scotland

7. Adulthood
An adult giggling continuously
12″ x 12″

I trained as a teacher of Art, Dance and Drama and taught for many years in different schools. My final self-portrait (for now) depicts me as a teacher played by an ostrich. Not because I resemble an ostrich any more than I did a monkey or a bear. But, because this look sums up one certain students of mine may have received.

8. Teacher – When someone thinks they know better than you stage
Now in Shakespeares’ world there are only seven stages. However, having so much fun with my series of paintings stopping with only one more which would supposedly be depicting my end, I could not do. So I have quietly whispered apologies to Will and continued with gusto – as is my way. With my seventh self-portrait depicting a mischievous adult who could not stop giggling (red wine may have been involved!)

Expressive, vibrant in colour as are all of my art works, as am I. What animal would you be? Do you have certain tendencies or traits that could be summed up by an animal. I am holding onto a sloth for another one of me – just lounging around. I do commissions and ship anywhere in the world. The majority of the above works have sold. But, prints can be found at The Fine Art America website of the above characters.

Louise Vallack
20th June 2017 at 03:50I love the idea of life’s stages – and how you have assigned animal characters to them! Looking forward to finding out what your next metamorphosis will be!

Clive Holgate
20th June 2017 at 00:55

Very good vibrant and interesting just like you

Isabella FA Shores
19th June 2017 at 09:28

Great post! I love your images, each one is so expressive lol
Red wine… Or any wine really, should always be in there somewhere

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