Alastair Begg

A passion for photography, tramping and climbing imbued in me a love for the unique scenery of the South Island.

I was drawn to painting and drawing as a kid and exhibited my first painting at a Secondary Schools exhibition (watercolour).

I took up oil painting 35 yrs ago aged 23 yrs and despite the time restrictions of a career in medical practice managed to combine travel opportunities to Australia, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia and South America with oil painting and exhibiting.

An early retirement has enabled me to paint full time. My primary interest has always been in landscapes but I also enjoy still life's and seascapes.

Moving to Alexandra in Central Otago with its unique light and landscapes had provided me with further inspiration fueled by the mentoring of local painting colleagues who have encouraged me towards plein-air painting as a means of enhancing visual truth and connecting better with the viewer.

My ambition in painting is to move beyond the recording of landscapes towards a more expressionist and empathetic painting style, which provokes feelings and emotions in the viewer.