We recently had the most extraordinary pleasure of a visit from Dean Buchanan. Dean is a well known and highly regarded New Zealand artist. He is famous for his expressionist view of the New Zealand landscape but it was his passion and tremendous personality that had us in captured.

His booming voice, interesting enunciation, lyrical vocabulary, undulation tempo and unusual lengthening of syllables had us glued for an hour and a half. This was a treat that had Sharon flying from the back room to shake his hand and humbly tell him ‘Gawd, I really love your work’.

We talked framing, mountain climbing, about his father and about being an artist. We shared Deans insight into the industry. His generosity with his works are noteworthy and we have been lucky enough to have received a large supply of his work which we are currently framing up.

Dean also sent us a recent article that was on Artsville. This feature completed captured Deans personality and lifestyle. This man loves to paint and at one point he curiously raved, “I love it…I just f****n love it!!!”

His works are vibrant and recognisable. He paints directly onto raw hessian and are generally fairly large. They depict our country side through Deans eyes – they are stunning.

We will keep you up to date with the plan for the works. Its is a real honour to have met the kiwi icon. We really enjoyed his company and enthusiasm for being a true artist. We can’t wait for him to come back. Thanks Dean.

Lots of fun was had by all and the winning entry by Tim Pierce with a flick called Blip, brilliant. Check them all out here.

Men Love Maps!

What a perfect present for the man that has everything….

We have great stock maps of local areas, mounted and ready for your wall or create your own topographic map of any area at 1:50,000 scale.

We have really enjoyed meeting and already working with Gallery 33′s new curator and manager Melissa.

Hailing from Christchurch and pulling off a timely exit from the shaky city, we are chuffed to welcome Melissa to Wanaka.

If you haven’t already pop down to Gallery 33 to check out the latest exhibition, we certainly have some favourites namely Anna Muirhead’s delicate lino cuts and Woof woof pictured below. Enjoy!

Here at The 45th Degree we are really proud and honored to stock world renowned print maker Brenda Hartill’s collections of work. Her medium has been print for the last 25 years; using both the etching and collagraph technique. Her work explores the texture, light and shape of the landscape and ranges from bold, intricate, embossed abstract imagery to delicate, finely drawn figurative works.

Brenda was born in London but later emigrated to New Zealand in the late fifties with her parents. After earning her degree at the University of Auckland she returned to the UK to sink her teeth into theatre design, had a spell lecturing in the States and later returned to freelance at a raft of high profile theatres and projects. Looking for independent artistic freedom she embarked on the path of printmaking and has been successfully publishing her own work ever since. She lives in East Sussex and works from her studio in southern Spain.

Here at The 45th Degree we feel privileged to have her work. We were lucky enough to have Brenda swing by the gallery not so long ago. We are always receiving updated works, shipped from the Northern Hemisphere. We invite you to and view Brendas work…..

To get your Cod Chairs in time for Christmas order soon! Come on in to The 45th Degree and choose your colours or even accessorize with a Cod Squab or footstool or table.

More than you can shake a stick at!

Everyone does it, every year, eats to much and just needs to lie down…lie back in style this year on your own custom colour, delivered to your door, Cape Cod Chair.

Better still buy your wife one for Christmas and be in the good books till the end of the year!

Nice work Wanaka for supporting this years festival about ….well about us!

Such a nice celebration of Wanaka arts, sport, food, wine music and friends. Really great job Laurel, thanks!

The Short Film comp was impressive with 10 finalists showing their clips on a cold night, outside at the Lonestar.

With parents in town and Wanaka sporting a stunning day, we proceeded to taste wine and sample gorgeous Gnocchi from the legendary Matz from the The Landing. Pointing out our pig was reminiscent of the A & P show days dragging Mum and Dad to see our pictures….funny!

The Urban Down hill was fun to watch with a few close calls of vehicles and children getting amongst the race track.

Passion for Fashion, the parade and the polar plunge being other favourites for all marks Wanakafest as a Labour Weekend stayer.

For this years Wanakafest BNZ Piggies for Fashion competition we took a cubist  angle with our entry Pigasso.

The pressure was on to follow up last years winning entry Piggy Van Gogh famously featured on the Wanakafest site.

We are anxioulsy awaiting the judges decision and will keep you up to date.

Silver Truck – Art Truck in Disguise

Here at The 45th we are huge fans of the Real Art Road Show project. If you haven’t managed to catch this yet, take a look at the schedule to see when it comes to a town near you for 2011.

The inspired concept was dreamt up and realised by Wanaka local Fiona Campbell.

Ricky Swallow  - Blanket Shark

Two trucks, unfold Decepticon-like, to transform into art galleries showing over 60 pieces of original art from an eclectic cross section of well known and emerging artists. The plan is for the truck to reach all 694 secondary schools in New Zealand over 4 years.

A staple of The 45th staff uniform is the Real Art Show T. We are proud supporters of the project and all that sails on her.