Established landscapist and portrait artist Mark Anstis will take centre stage as the artist-in-residence at the Arthouse Exhibition this weekend, offering visitors an opportunity to watch him create and engage with his artistic process.

This marks the second weekend of the exhibition, which will run for another two weekends and features an array of creative works.

The exhibition, hosted by the Whakatāne Society of Arts and Crafts, showcases paintings, drawings, textile art, pottery, woodwork, and more, making it the perfect destination for those looking to find handcrafted gifts ahead of Christmas.

Anstis, known for his stunning landscapes and portraits, will be on-site tomorrow from 9am to 4pm, working on a new painting.

Visitors can stop by, chat with the artist, and observe his creative process firsthand.

A selection of his work can also be seen throughout the exhibition.

Reflecting on his artistic journey, Anstis said he initially began his career focusing on portraiture.

“I’ve spent the last few years learning more about landscape painting. I find it more challenging than portraiture, which some people find surprising,” he said with a laugh.

His primary medium is oil paint, though he also creates pencil drawings.

Though realism in art covers a broad spectrum, Anstis describes his painting style as leaning towards “naturalism”.

“I’m not sure if I’ve fully achieved that yet, but that’s my aim – to make something look naturalistic, a subtle distinction from being realistic.”

His portraits are captivating: Eastern Bay art viewers will remember a few years back he won the Molly Morpeth Canaday People’s Choice award for a portrait of a young girl on a farm.

These days, he mostly takes portrait commissions, although he isn’t actively seeking new ones.

Art was a passion he cultivated from childhood, initially viewing it as a hobby. His journey took a significant turn when he began to explore the art world more seriously.

“When platforms like Facebook started becoming popular, I started seeing other people’s artwork online and thought, ‘That’s cool. How do I learn to do that?’”

This curiosity led him to seek out art schools, eventually finding a short course in Florence, Italy, that changed his artistic trajectory.

“That made me realise if I wanted to pursue art, I had to do it all day, every day to get the practice and experience that it takes.”

He worked for another 18 months, quit his full-time job, and since 2018 has been able to sustain himself through his art.

Visitors to the Arthouse Exhibition this weekend will have the chance to see Anstis in action and explore the diverse range of work on display.