Marc’s Blog

22 Jan Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme – Drop-in Support Session

Posted at 10:06h in Art, Blogs, Design, Events, Marc's Blog, Music, News, Opportunities, Photography, Poetry

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) provides funding to local arts projects so that all New Zealanders can be involved in, support or attend a wide range of events including dance, literature, Māori arts, crafts, film, music, Pacific arts, theatre and visual arts. Over $52,000 is available...

A person standing in front of the Rotorua Museum in the Government Gardens Rotorua

25 Jul The Art of the Pose

Posted at 11:54h in Marc's Blog

Although recent changes to the Weekender have meant the end of my regular weekly contribution, I’ll still enjoy the odd opportunity to share snippets from the creative world. It certainly is a funny old world. Take a walk through the Government gardens on a picture perfect day,...

03 Jul Solitude and Collaboration

Posted at 11:22h in Art, Marc's Blog

It’s true that artists, in most genres, tend to be sole operators, and there are countless cases of writers, painters, poets and potters who spend impossible lengths of time alone developing concepts or masterpieces in a quiet, detached world. “Writing, at its best, is a lonely...

21 Jun The Kiwi Boy Experience

Posted at 08:39h in Art, Design, Marc's Blog

The shortest day of 2018 is officially behind us – it’s a wonderful thought that we’re over the mid-winter hump and waltzing into summer again. Possibly wishful thinking with a couple of chilly months still to come, but knowing the days are now getting longer somehow...

'Singing Ringing Tree' sound sculpture, Lancashire, England

14 Jun Wind Art

Posted at 11:39h in Art, Marc's Blog

We sure had some strong winds earlier this week. On Monday night I raced outside at 2.00am, feeling very mortal as 80km gusts pummeled and thrashed the tawas towering over the house. As the trees bent and swayed vigorously in the dark early hours, I stood in...

07 Jun The Queenstown Experience – art meets accommodation

Posted at 11:38h in Art, Marc's Blog

Last weekend we took the opportunity to join a celebration with family in Queenstown. It sure is a different world down there. On the morning we arrived it was minus 7 degrees, so our first stop was a beanie shop. Indeed, the sun struggles to peek over...

Group of people sitting around a campfire

29 May Fire – and the dawn of creativity

Posted at 15:57h in Marc's Blog

It’s that time of year again when many of us are already lighting fires to soften the onset of winter. As ours flickered into life again recently I pondered on our primal connection to fire. Apparently, human beings have been working with fire for over a...

Person doodling with a pen on a piece of paper

17 May Drawing and doodling

Posted at 12:04h in Marc's Blog

A couple years back I was asked if I would hold a sketching safari around the Government Gardens for a few delegates attending a national architect’s conference. No worries. Except I figured there wouldn’t be much I could offer these seasoned professionals in the art...

14 May Autumn Magic at the Lakes

Posted at 11:26h in Marc's Blog

Growing up in the Rotorua lakes region has been a true blessing. After four years studying in Christchurch back in the 90’s, I missed the lakes and bush dearly. The journey back home to start a career and raise a family was a natural progression –...

Splendid bonsai example at U.S. National Arboretum

03 May The Art of Bonsai

Posted at 13:28h in Marc's Blog

People have been caring for Bonsai trees for over a thousand years. The practise actually started in China before eventually arriving in Japan in the 14th century. The Japanese then went on to enhance the art and developed the refinements which make bonsai what it...