Since the art trip to Alice Springs when I did a weeks art course on sketch book journalling I now take my sketch book everywhere with me. I have to admit though I don’t always find time to do as much sketching as I planned in my head to do. I also plan to finish them off using photos I’ve taken when I get home. That doesn’t always happen either.
But, being inspired by Cathy of “wander essence” who posts her art journals once a month (see the latest one here) Here is my New Zealand art journal.
New Zealand is my second home and with a son and daughter still living there we love to visit. March 2019 was the last time we hopped over the ditch and this time I took my sketch book with me. 
It’s always great to catch up with the family and spend time sketching. My son lives on a small farm just outside the country town of Waiuku.
Wandering around the main street and having coffee at the local coffee shop, visiting the museum and craft shop, and drives into the surrounding countryside.
After 2 weeks with son and daughter in law. It’s time to move on to stay with my daughter in Tauranga. But on the way there is time to do some sight seeing. A stop for lunch at the interesting gold mining town of Waihi, and I did have time to actually do this sketch “plein aire”.
It is approximately 200 kilometres from Waiuku to Tauranga. A drive I always look forward to. Through the rolling, green hills of the Waikato, through the spectacular Karangahake Gorge then along the surf beaches of the east coast
Jack always has a major committment every time we go to Tauranga, that is to walk up Mount Maunganui. This year I did the walk too…
Not a lot of sketches to show for the 4 weeks we spent in New Zealand. If you would like to see more photos of our time spent in New Zealand go here.We do hope to go again once the “travel bubble” is opened between our two countries.
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Cathy of “Wander Essence” has a monthly invitation/challenge were she invites anyone to join her in creating, and showcasing their art journals. She has put together a very informative post of ideas and tips about creating a journal. Do take a look and it would be so interesting to see what you can produce.
Living in Paradise... 
Great memories Pauline, looking forward to do it again.
Till then we have it all recorded in your journal.😎
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Lots of memories and yes it will be good to visit again
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Awesome sketching Pauline, wonderful memories.
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Great that you add your sketches and art to your love of travel.. xx
Jackie Carroll
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It’s fun to do too, and relaxing
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The detail is terrific, Pauline! I especially love that first sketch. How long, roughly, do they take you to do? I guess it varies considerably. Beautiful memories 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Jo. If I do the sketch completely on site it’s usually approx 30 mins. But often I start the drawing and get the main points on site then finish the details later from a photo.. often I do the whole sketch from a photo.. so it all varies. But always a challenge
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I love to see your sketches, Pauline….and they must bring great memories back when you look at them
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They certainly do because I spend so much time studying them for the sketch.
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Great!
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What fabulous sketches once again, Pauline. You have more patience than I do for capturing details in your sketches. I love them all, and it’s a great way to really get yourself to settle in and pay attention to what’s in front of you. Whether you do it while on site, or later from pictures, both experiences allow you to observe closely and to appreciate what you’ve seen. Wonderful. I’ll look forward to sharing these in my next journal post on July 10. 🙂
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Thanks Cathy for the encouraging comments, and thanks for starting this art journal challenge, it has got me back into finishing some of my journals. I’m looking forward to July 10 too because that is the date our borders will, hopefully, be opening. Just in time for me to go to the art retreat that is over the border in NSW
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You’re welcome; I always am inspired by your journals. How exciting that you see an end in sight and can go to NSW for your art retreat. Lucky you! Enjoy! 🙂
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Opening borders as long as we don’t get a second wave
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Yes, it’s all so uncertain. Good luck!
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Thanks
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Cafe Karma and Hartman House are just delightful, Pauline. Looks like you’ll be getting to your Art Retreat:)
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🤞hope so
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What a wonderful way to both really see what you’re seeing and to remember what you saw. I can just imagine how much you’re looking forward to July 10.
janet
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I agree Janet, sketching really makes me look carefully
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Your sketches are so lovely, I am very happy that you share them with us. Looks like you are going to be travelling very soon. My son and daughter in law are looking forward to the opening of travel with NZ as her mother is desperate to visit and have a warmer winter!
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I think a lot of Kiwis will be looking forward to coming over here for winter
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Your journals create such beautiful memories. We’ve been to NZ once and would dearly love to go again. Hopefully that travel bubble comes to fruition.
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Yes the sketches do bring back memories in lots of detail. Which part of NZ did you go to? There is so much to see, and so easy to get around.
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We were there for 18 days, not nearly long enough. We stayed in Akaroa, Wanaka and Fox Glacier and then based ourselves in Rotorua for a week. There was so much to see and do in just those few places. I wrote a series of posts about our holiday, beginning with this one. https://theeternaltraveller.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/the-giants-house/
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I went to see your post and it brought back memories of when we visited Akaroa and the giants house. What an amazing place. Did you stay there? I lived in NZ for almost 40 years and now visit every couple of years to see my son and daughter and still keep finding new places to visit. It is a fantastic country
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We stayed in Akaroa for four nights. It’s so beautiful around there. Having said that everywhere we went was beautiful. I hope we get to go again.
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Could be one of the only overseas place we can go to for at least this year…
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Your sketches are lovely. I like to go out sketching with a group of friends – I’m really looking forward to starting again soon ( I hope ! )
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G’day Margaret. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I always have a small A5 sketch book with me and like to try and capture what is around me when I have time. I like the sound of your urban sketching group, that would be fun
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You’re welcome , Pauline. I like to take a sketch book around with me – but I haven’t done much sketching since lockdown. When I’m with urban Sketchers I like to ‘ sketch’ in watercolour . It’s a worldwide organisation with groups in most big towns – you could look them up !
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Yes I’ve heard of them and one of these days I may find time to check them out
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I’m always impressed by your sketches. You capture both a sense of reality and a sense of personality.
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Thank you I like that description
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