Bryce Brown's Half-Year Update 2007

Dear Art Appreciator,

Half of the year has gone, disappeared. I don't know where to, somebody took it I think!

Working as an artist means forward planning all the time, I'm already thinking of events for 2008. To begin with I'll be exhibiting somewhere in Tauranga (to be announced) around February. Then working towards a body of work that will coincide with my wife's dance company's production on the life of French Missionary Suzanne Aubert which will be around the end of 2008.

This year so far has not been overly eventful with regard to exhibitions, etc. I've been painting more of the historical scenes as you'd have seen by the updates, as well as working on a more domestic series of children and mother and child works. Raising four kids probably has something to do with this. I've never been happier with my painting technique and style and I'm constantly pushing myself to achieve more with surface, texture, composition, light and depth as well as keeping the paint alive on the canvas.

I've sold works to Belgium, USA and Canada this year and constantly have interest from people who want to deal with me directly. The reason being is that they prefer to have that personal contact with the artist and they also realise that gallery fees increase the prices of paintings somewhat.

One of my paintings, Boardwalk Tango which sold to a local collector has been chosen for the New Zealand Twelve Contemporary Artists calendar for 2008. This should be on the shelves quite soon. If you are overseas and want a copy of this, let me know and I'll find out more for you.

Introducing Figurative Artist Bryce Brown

Bryce Brown lives and paints in Mt. Maunganui in the Tauranga area of New Zealand. His work is in private collections in New Zealand, Europe and the USA including the John Deere art collection in Moline, Illinois.

Born in Auckland in 1971, Bryce grew up in the lush Northland surrounds of Whangarei. He began to take art seriously in the mid 90s, with the outstanding beauty of the Northland area providing him with a major source of inspiration.

High passion for art became the main drive for a 12-country world tour in 1998 taking him to all the major European galleries. Again, nature and the people he observed and met in his travels provided him with ideas and artistic stimulation.

On his distinctive Euro/Polynesian figurative style, Bryce says:

I like to explore human nature and movement through my paintings. I use strong line, texture and color to accentuate human form and emotion. I have my favourite artists and although they definitely have had an influence on me, I feel I have taken just enough from history to add to the style I have now. Whilst it is hard not to be influenced by the likes of Picasso and Leonardo, an artist needs to find what it is about these greats that they love and pursue their own style with the same amount of passion as they did.

Bryce currently lives at Mt.Maunganui, New Zealand with his wife Catherine and their girls Olivia and Brianna and their sons Henri and Oscar.

Bryce Brown's website is located at brycebrownart.com