Artist behind the watercolour

Renowned Queensland artist Bob Boyce drew inspiration from his world travels to paint a stunning collection of watercolours.

Local art lovers have the rare chance to see the 91 year old’s work without leaving Brisbane.

“Painting has been the companion by my side witnessing the raw beauty of New Zealand, the vast natural landscapes of Africa to the town squares in Italy such as Florence,” he said.

Hundreds of art lovers will attend Reflections of New Zealand and other destinations exhibition, experiencing the powerful journey of watercolour paintings themed around New Zealand this Sunday in Nundah.

“I painted one very special painting of Cathedral Square [in Christchurch] before the earthquake which captured a part of history,” he said.

“The mountains and the way the snow lays on the mountains [in New Zealand] are fascinating. There’s a sense of vastness in the nature and raw beauty.”

Born originally in Hastings, England, Mr Boyce has worked and lived in Kenya, India, Uganda, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Europe, Canberra, Darwin and Perth.

“Wherever I went in the world I painted,” he said.

His colourful exhibition will feature landscapes and cityscapes revealing soulful insights into the moments he experienced during his personal journey. Oil and acrylic paintings capturing his travels to other destinations will also be showcased. 

Mr Boyce has exhibited in London, Tanzania and Kenya and he has held 14 one-man exhibitions in Brisbane and has hundreds of paintings.

“All of my paintings have sentimental value to me,” he said. “I feel so happy to be having another exhibition and I’m looking forward to meeting the people who come along.

“I would like people to give their honest opinions about my work because it’s all helpful.”

The former architect was formally trained in art at St Martin’s College in London and started painting landscapes of the English countryside.

“When I was orphaned at 16, art gave me companionship when I felt lonely and something to do over the weekends,” he said.

His advice to anyone learning to paint is: ‘the more [paintings] you do, the better you get’.

“Art is an adventure and frustration. I feel my work is never as good as I’d like it to be because artists always strive for perfection.”

Mr Boyce’s paintings on display will be available for purchase.

Exhibition details:

When: Sunday, 25 November 2012, from 10am to 3.30pm

Where: St Paul’s Church Hall, Corner of Buckland Rd and Atthow Pde, Nundah