No brush needed for award-winning artist

ON SHOW: Artist Colin Unkovich and his winning Northland Art Awards entry.

Waipu Cove artist Colin Unkovich has recently earned just reward and recognition for his craft in winning the painting section in last week’s newly revived Northland Art Awards.

Using a technique with a difference, there is not a brush in sight in Colin’s studio. 

Self taught, Colin uses only water-based paints (“I had thirty years of making surfboards so I’ve had my fill of solvents,” he says) but his works are all done by airbrush. 

Colin is one of only a couple of artists in the country using this method which requires considerable concentration and a number of overlays to attain the perspective and necessary degrees of detail he seeks to achieve. Each piece generally takes about a month to complete.

Painting since 2000, Colin says his subjects are mostly of his own choosing or imagination but may be surreal, landscape or portrait though he is also open to commission work. 

Colin has been part of various gallery exhibitions throughout the world but he would like to find a suitable local venue either for an exhibition or to display his artwork. 

Though he is not a regular entrant in art competitions he was also a finalist  in the Adams Portraiture awards in 2011 from a total 900 entries.

His award-winning piece entitled Great Expectations hangs in Reyburn House, Whangarei.