Gallery:

Susan Webb paints Coastlines of James Cook.

Susan Webb prefers to travel around New Zealand by car, ferry, train or boat, vehicles from which her powers of observation can capture images she will later transform into the vibrant paintings that have made her a favourite of selective art collectors over the past 22 years.

From her purpose-built studio on a rural property in the Horowhenua, she manages to transform barren hills into an explosion of colour, a clump of trees into a beautiful bouquet, and a brooding wine-dark sea into a sparkling painted ocean.

This latest collection is compiled under the title of Coastlines of James Cook as many of the locations that have inspired her works are the same coast that Captain James Cook observed and charted on his several voyages around New Zealand in the late 18th century. These coasts have changed little since those days of discovery, and Susan has injected her magic into them for us all to appreciate in our present century and beyond.

She also ventures inland to Central Otago in New Zealand’s South Island, focusing on views from the highways and seeking out particularly attractive patterns of the light on both hills and tree clusters along the way. All of this is created together in her own distinctive technique and style that makes Susan unique among the artists of her time.

The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

	1. Trees XXVII, 2011. From northern New Zealand, coming around the eastern coastal hills going into Russell (Kororareka) in the Bay of Islands. It is typical of Northland Kanuka and Manuka trees. Strata, oil on canvas, 76 x 100 cm. $5,000 Click on image to enlarge

	2. The Other Side VII, 2011. From a launch around the back of Motutapu Island behind Rangitoto Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. Strata, oil and acrylic on loose pre-stretched canvas with 9 black eyelets along top for hanging. Canvas: 164 x 124 cm. $7,500 Click on image to enlarge

	3. The Other Side VIII, 2011. From a launch around the back of Motutapu Island behind Rangitoto Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. Strata, oil and acrylic on loose pre-stretched canvas with 9 black eyelets along top for hanging. Canvas: 164 x 124 cm. $7,500 Click on image to enlarge

	4. The Other Side VI, 2011. From a launch around the back of Motutapu Island behind Rangitoto Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. Strata, oil and acrylic on loose pre-stretched canvas with 9 black eyelets along top for hanging. Canvas: 164 x 124 cm. $7,500 Click on image to enlarge

	5. The Other Side V, 2011. This is the coastline of Motutapu Island, from a launch around the back of Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. Oil on canvas, 46 x 112 cm. $5,500 Click on image to enlarge

	6. Up North X, 2011. This is the coastline coming back through the marine reserve from Poor Knights Islands, heading for port at Tutukaka, Northland, New Zealand. Oil on canvas 46 x 90 cm. $5000 Click on image to enlarge

	7. Stand Alone I, Cape Terawhiti XXX, 2011. From Cook Strait on the Interisland ferry while travelling to Picton from Wellington, New Zealand. Oil and acrylic on loose pre-stretched canvas with 27 black eyelets for hanging. Canvas 173 x 412 cm, image 122 x 364 cm, $30,000. Note: This massive work has an unfinished black painted border on the canvas, allowing the purchaser to choose either to hang from the eyelets or fit around a purpose-built frame. Click on image to enlarge

	8. Stand Alone I Queenstown V, 2010. Jack’s Hill, at the north end of the Remarkables Range in Queenstown, New Zealand, from the bottom of the Crown Range. Oil on loose pre-stretched canvas with 25 black eyelets for hanging. 100 x 305 cm. $25,000 Note: Again a huge work that has an unfinished black painted border on the canvas, allowing the purchaser to choose either to hang from the eyelets or fit around a purpose-built frame. Click on image to enlarge

	9. Maniototo XIV, 2009. In Central Otago, New Zealand, the Maniototo basin is surrounded by a rim of hills and mountains which create a unique microclimate with ever-changing light patterns and colours. Strata, oil on canvas, 137 x 100 cm. $7,000 Click on image to enlarge

	10. The Hokianga 1, 2011. Looking west from Omapere driving south along the Hokianga Harbour, Northland, New Zealand. Oil on canvas, 40 x 122 cm. $5,000 Click on image to enlarge

	11. Up North XI, 2011. Driving up State Highway 1 just north of Auckland, New Zealand. Oil on canvas, 76 x 100 cm. $5,000 Click on image to enlarge

	12. Come on Girls XXI, 2011. Generic Hereford cattle. Strata, oil on canvas, 100 x 76 cm, $5,000 Click on image to enlarge

	13. Trees XXVI variant, 2011. Generic, with no specific New Zealand location. These three paintings are able to be hung in any order in six possible variations. Triptych, oil on canvas. 30 x 162 cm, $4,200 Click on image to enlarge

	14. At Sea Level XXVI, 2010. Out on Auckland Harbour, New Zealand by North Head. Diptych, oil on canvas, left 40 x 122 cm. right 122 x 40 cm. $9,000 (the pair). Click on image to enlarge