The modern meaning of a Protean, derived from ancient Greek, describes a person who is extraordinarily versatile and able to change their artistic style frequently to whatever art form takes their fancy.
The diminutive, quietly spoken, unassuming and friendly woman who is Christine Warner is such a person. Christine is a Painter, Sculptor, Felter, Knitter, Seamstress, Landscape Gardener and more. Even her simplest works are beautifully executed and make one happy looking at them. With several works on the go plus commissions, I wondered when this woman slept.
Christine was born in Kent. Although she had always loved drawing, she did not take any formal fine arts lessons until much later. She qualified from Woolwich College where, 58 years ago, she fell for Randal, the judo teacher. Following College, she trained as a teacher and went on to teach 7-8 years old children, an age group she loves. Christine taught using her drawing skills to impart knowledge that would engage and get concepts across to her young learners in interesting ways. After marrying Randal and the births of their two daughters, Christine became a full-time mother and helped with Randal’s business doing the catering.
Another interest which both had was sailing. When their daughters were 12 and 13, Randal sold his business and they bought a magnificent 102’ yacht, Pacific Eagle, from an Auckland owner, designed by Don Brooke and built by Alloy Yachts. They set sail with Randal’s parents, two teachers, two friends and their two daughters. Their sailing took them from Auckland to Tonga, through hurricanes to Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia, Vanuatu, Mexico and the Panama Canal. Along the way, they saved the lives of 32 Cuban refugees whose tiny wooden boat was dead in the water. Other adventures included sailing through the Bermuda Triangle where they saw UFOs before heading back to New Zealand via Galapagos, and French Polynesia. If you thought their daughters’ education might be compromised, one was admitted to study Law at Cambridge at 15, the other holds a PhD in Education. After 10 years they decided to sell the yacht and ended up in Florida where one of their daughter’s still lives.
It was in Florida that Christine learned to paint in the style of the Old Masters. Holbein is her favourite “flat, no splatters’ a smooth finish in oils; almost photographic in the finished work”. After five years, they decided to join their other daughter who had settled in New Zealand. In 2000, Christine and Randal moved to Tauranga and then on to Martinborough in 2016.
Christine paints from photographs – animals are favourites. Portraits are painted from photographs too “I don’t work from sittings; no one can spare the time”. For some of her portraiture, she gets inspiration from artists such as Picasso. The portraits of her grandchildren using the deconstructed works of Picasso are fun. The geometric shapes in which the images are embedded use her own colour combinations.
Christine’s sculptural work includes beautiful needle felted animals. When you drive into Christine’s home, her sculptural expertise is evident from the dragon, Derek, who sits atop an attractive mound surrounded by a colourful array of blooms. Christine learned the sculpting technique to create Derek from Kim Beaton at Weta Workshop.
When you drive into Christine’s home, her sculptural expertise is evident from the dragon, Derek, who sits atop an attractive mound surrounded by a colourful array of blooms.
Future plans include Christine and Randal relocating to Kent. Will Derek remain as a testament to this extraordinarily talented artist? I didn’t ask.
