Saskia Riemersma
You'll often hear me saying 'look at how beautiful this is', that is because I am always looking around and taking notice of the beauty that is around us.
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I am originally from Holland, growing up in Amsterdam. My family and I often went cycling and walking around the beautiful cobbled streets and parks. The beautiful window displays in the residential houses, gardens and architecture inspired me from a young age.
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In 1989, my husband, children and I immigrated to NZ. We fell in love with the picturesque scenery and the people. The laid back life-style and idyllic beaches and bush of the Coromandel. We settled in Matamata to pursue a career in farming. We later moved to Puriri before retiring in Coromandel.
In Coromandel, we are involved with the Pastel Art Group and we're also involved in the Taize singing group.
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My husband and I absolutely love living in the beautiful arty Coromandel.
MY HISTORY
Below is a brief description of my journey in art.
MY INSPIRATION
As an artist I have always been inspired by beauty around me. The beauty in nature, landscapes, animals, people around me and flowers. I love vibrant colours and while I mostly paint what I see, I like to add colour and different techniques to express feeling and mood.
HOW I BEGAN
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I love gardening and have been involved with the Floral Art Society in Matamata for many years, our sets involved crafting animals, and fairies out of natural plant materials. This is when my much loved Nikau Elephant was created and Zazoo the bird. I also enjoy sewing - from quilting to dress making and more.
In 1992, I started sculpting with Hinuera stone. I love sculpting people and portraying a feeling through my work. My sculpture 'Embrace' stands in the centre of Matamata's main street. Two people in an embrace with a toddler in between them shows themes of family, love and nurturing. My sculpture 'Carpediem' stands on our driveway as you drive up the hill. With two people in an embrace plucking opportunity out of the air. It symbolises seizing the day and having courage to try new things.
WHAT I'M CURRENTLY WORKING ON
In the early 2000's, I attended a 2 year Art's course through the Learning Connection in Wellington. There I learnt more about bronze casting, sculpting, painting and live drawing. More recently I been exploring different mediums. My favourite currently is chalk pastel and Indian ink.
CONTACT
If you are interested in having a look at my artworks or joining our pastel group.
Please feel free to get in touch.
027-296-2670