Artist Showcase: Tineke McLean

The Feilding & District Art Society

Not long after immigrating to New Zealand from the Netherlands in 1981, Tineke started a journey with art, creating original applique wall hangings. She exhibited at a gallery in Parnell, Auckland, and accepted several large commissions. All that stopped when her husband passed away in 1989.

After a long break, Tineke started a part-time job as a pottery decorator in 1994 remarried. Four years later, she discovered the magic and temperament of watercolours. Saying goodbye to pots and embarking on yet another medium was exciting and challenging. Tineke participated in art shows and sold well until a friend invited her to join her for a short-term course at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland. From then, her focus shifted to acrylic paints – a medium she found bold and enticing. She found herself experimenting with new styles, and never looked back.

Now working from a studio at her home in Palmerston North, Tineke creates art that is varied and colourful. Drawing inspiration from nature, her works often feature birds or depict landscapes. However, she also dabbles with semi-abstract subject matter.

Tineke is a regular exhibitor at Manawatu Art Expo and her work, ‘Birch Grove’ (pictured), is currently on display at Feilding Art Centre.