The rich array of work included in artist, Fran Gould’s book, Adventures in Art addresses many subjects and themes. It also marks 20 years of pencil and brush ‘narratives’, from this accomplished artist who is also a long time Grey Power member, as Helen Perry discovered.
Retirement may mean the end of working life for many New Zealanders but it was just the beginning of Fran Gould’s journey into art.
Although she came from a family background in art, it wasn’t until she retired and took a folk art course at Waimea College in Richmond (Nelson) that Fran’s own passion and talent came to life.
In all, her six years of art study included two years with Te Kura Correspondence School in Wellington where she finished her course with the top art award. She was also awarded a scholarship with the Learning Connexion in Wellington where, over four years of study, she flourished.
“Gradually my interest in art grew and it became extremely important to me,” she says. “Having to cross to Wellington three or four times a year on the Cook Strait ferry meant this became one of my most memorable work spaces. I earned my passage by sketching passengers as ‘free entertainment’.
“The Nelson Market was another interesting place where I spent many years drawing customers and their pets. Gradually my portfolio grew to include everything from native birds and classic motorbikes to children and plein air scenes.”
While her journey started with graphite, Fran admits a greater love for oils. However, she says on moving to a retirement village five years ago, oils were no longer practical. “You need a studio and that isn’t possible here; sketching is more viable.”
Thankfully, giving up her love of colour hasn’t meant forgoing her preferred subject matter – people.
“People are my favourite but sometimes I like to do something different and sometimes a subject just falls in your lap, so to speak.”
Although many of her works express the reality of the moment, such as Masquerade which captures performers and spectators on parade, she confesses to being an emotive artist, embracing the spirit of a subject and feeling the joy of where that takes her.
With age starting to catch up, Fran admits her output is slowing. “Putting together this book [Adventures in Art] was a major project; now I want to sketch all my family members and gift them the work. However, I also want to compile a book containing those works for future generations.”
Fran expects the project will be extremely satisfying. “Over the years, one of my greatest pleasures has been seeing the reaction of people when they come to collect their sketch or painting. They handle it with such care that I feel they really value the work. I hope my family will feel the same.”
Yet to begin this new challenge, for now Fran can reflect on her new book spanning two decades of capturing people, places, and moments in vivid detail.
A beautiful and diverse collection of graphite drawings, sketches and oil paintings, the accompanying narratives, like Fran’s work, are unexpected, lyrical, almost musical in places. It is a record which encapsulates so much of New Zealand.
- To purchase Fran’s book: RRP $50 plus pp, Email. fran_g@xtra.co.nz or ph 020 4045 l0847