Nigel Hirst

Nigel grew up in Ohope Beach on the north island of Aotearoa and started surfing at a young age developing a deep love of the ocean. After surfing around coastline of New Zealand he continues surfing to this day after surf safari trips to Hawaii, California, Mexico, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands and Australia. These experiences in the ocean come to the fore in his paintings.

During university days in his teens he formed his first rock band in and ever since, has continued to explore playing, touring and performing on a variety of instruments, bass, vocals, flute, guitar, percussion, piano and saxophones in countless groups with a wide range of styles including nightclub funk in Seattle, with country legend Kenny Rogers, kiwi comedian Billy T James, blues with Midge Marsden and the Raglan Mudsharks. Locally performing and recording with Margaret O’Hanlon and Mark Wilson in the Master Blasters for events, concerts and festivals besides many musical theatre shows including Starry-Eyed and Songstars as well as being the producer. Currently he is playing and recording with the Queenstown Funk Orchestra.

During Covid Pandemic lockdowns Nigel recorded an album of instrumental music on saxophones.

When this was complete and with free time due to the lack of live gigs he began painting for the first time in his life, diving in the deep end, beginning with a series of portraits of his family including self portraits. These were all acrylic on board and the new instrument, a paint brush. This was exciting stuff. Painting was something he always thought of doing at some point but never previously gave it the time or attention with music, surfing and skiing getting in the way.

Next up was a shift to canvas and painting the ocean, predominantly waves from favourite haunts around the north island. Each new painting meant self discovery, learning new skills such as mixing colours, using different brush techniques, form, composition and capturing the essence of the ocean at precisely that point in time when travelling swells reached the shore to form breaking waves.

Here is a short video of the ocean series.

Nigel is currently working on a southern series of acrylic paintings on canvas and linen, being inspired by the mountainous playground in his backyard. Birds also seem to be flying their way into these works. His goal is 100 paintings in 10 years with the intent to become more abstract and surreal over time.

Music

https://www.nigelhirstmusic.com/nigel-hirst

Artworks

https://www.nigelhirstmusic.com/artworks

Painting

To purchase prints

https://222photographicstudios.queensberryworkspace.com/galleryslide/7765661e9f40307129/list