ABOUT IRIS & JOHN
Their passions are:
family, art in many forms, food, wine, travel adventures, creating comfort for B & B guests and socialising with friends.
John and Iris were both born in Southland New Zealand, where they lived until their early 20’s when John was transferred to Wellington in his career of banking. Iris later also moved to Wellington and they were married in 1964. They have two sons, Mark born in 1967 and Philip in 1973. Through-out their lives they moved to many different towns and cities, North & South Islands for John’s work.
They have both been involved in the arts communities all of their adult life, with John being a painter and Iris has always been very interested and a follower with a creative mind. Iris has commenced and owned several businesses, the most recent while living in Havelock North started as “Taste Hawke’s Bay” through which she received orders for her beautifully present foodie & wine gift boxes which she sent all around the world. She also introduced “A Taste of New Zealand” to her portfolio and successfully ran these businesses for almost 15 years moving to commercial premises.
John retired from banking in July 2000 in Hawke’s Bay being the Senior Commercial Manager for the East Coast Since then he has been a well known & sought after full time artist for his works in acrylic and watercolour and has exhibited in many exhibitions and galleries. He has won several awards. While living in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay they also operated a very successful 4.5 Qualmarked Bed and Breakfast.
Iris has always been a keen photographer and after purchasing a DSLR camera did a diploma in photography. During their holidays to several overseas countries she has obtained a great library of photos and John likewise a great portfolio of paintings with many being held in collections in several countries world-wide.
As both sons had moved to Australia several years ago, and two grand-daughters were born to Phil and Tsuey, Iris and John decided they wanted to be part of their grandchildren’s lives and moved to Australia in 2016. Mark, their eldest and Phil, Tsuey, Isabella and Sienna live within a 45minute drive.
Their passions are:
family, art in many forms, food, wine, travel adventures, creating comfort for B & B guests and socialising with friends.
John and Iris were both born in Southland New Zealand, where they lived until their early 20’s when John was transferred to Wellington in his career of banking. Iris later also moved to Wellington and they were married in 1964. They have two sons, Mark born in 1967 and Philip in 1973. Through-out their lives they moved to many different towns and cities, North & South Islands for John’s work.
They have both been involved in the arts communities all of their adult life, with John being a painter and Iris has always been very interested and a follower with a creative mind. Iris has commenced and owned several businesses, the most recent while living in Havelock North started as “Taste Hawke’s Bay” through which she received orders for her beautifully present foodie & wine gift boxes which she sent all around the world. In the early days she had the only garage in the country that was licensed to sell alcohol. She also introduced “A Taste of New Zealand” to her portfolio and successfully ran these businesses for almost 15 years moving to commercial premisses.
John retired from banking in July 2000 in Hawke’s Bay being the Senior Commercial Manager for the East Coast of the North Island NZ operating from Hastings and Napier branches for the National Bank of New Zealand Ltd, (now ANZ). Since then he has been a well known & sought after full time artist for his works in acrylic and watercolour and has exhibited in many exhibitions and galleries. He has won several awards. While living in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay they also operated a very successful 4.5 Qualmarked Bed and Breakfast.
Iris has always been a keen photographer and after purchasing a DSLR camera did a diploma in photography. During their holidays to several overseas countries she has obtained a great library of photos and John likewise a great portfolio of paintings with many being held in collections in several countries world-wide.
As both sons had moved to Australia several years ago, and two grand-daughters were born to Phil and Tsuey, Iris and John decided they wanted to be part of their grandchildren’s lives and moved to Australia in 2016. Mark, their eldest and Phil, Tsuey, Isabella and Sienna live within a 45minute drive. Full Bio is available on request
JOHN - ART BACKGROUND
My mother encouraged us to draw when we were young and introduced me to watercolours when i was 7, so they are my first love . I also painted in oils when I was a teenager, but watercolour took over during my banking career. When I was working, I painted on wet Sundays & became a member of art societies wherever I was working. I attended many courses over the years & my work slowly improved. I exhibited my first painting at the National Bank Art Awards at the Buckle Street Gallery in Wellington in 1963 & it sold for a very good price and from then on I have exhibited & sold quite well.
I had my first solo exhibition at the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru in 1990. I exhibited 22 paintings & sold 21 on opening night & the last one from the studio shortly after the exhibition closed.
I had 2 exhibitions at Huthlee winery where I worked for 5 years after I retired, both sold well.
I have also had 3 joint exhibitions with several Havelock north Artists in Havelock North, with Sue Schaare & John Staniford in Napier. At that time the mid 90’s we were the 3 top selling artists at the Red Peach Gallery, in Ahuriri, Napier. I also sold work at the Havelock North Gallery.
Since then, I have been exhibiting mostly at Havelock north Art Society exhibitions 7 alsotutored there, many Rotary exhibitions in Napier, Paraparaumu & Brisbane and also at the Wellington Art Gallery on Queens Wharf. Over the years I have won a number of awards most recently 3 here in Aust.
My mother encouraged us to draw when we were young and introduced me to watercolours when i was 7, so they are my first love . I also painted in oils when I was a teenager, but watercolour took over during my banking career. When I was working, I painted on wet Sundays & became a member of art societies wherever I was working. I attended many courses over the years & my work slowly improved. I exhibited my first painting at the National Bank Art Awards at the Buckle Street Gallery in Wellington in 1963 & it sold for a very good price and from then on I have exhibited & sold quite well.
I had my first solo exhibition at the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru in 1990. I exhibited 22 paintings & sold 21 on opening night & the last one from the studio shortly after the exhibition closed. Full Bio is available on request
John receiving the winning award at the 2019 Queensland Watercolour Society Exhibition. -THE GIFT
IRIS SPITTLE
Always looking for the ‘ideal subject’, while walking, at meetings, on the train, even driving – I will stop at short notice if possible.
Iris has submitted an entry to the Keyton Resident’s Calendar 2024 Competion – Theme this year – Dorothea McKellar’s poem -‘The Colours of light’ – It’s an amazing Photo which has been accepted. Stay tuned
In memory of Ryan Robinson
Who tragically and sadly passed away while working with us on building a new website for our Studio.
We thoroughly enjoyed working with Ryan who was sympathetic with our ideas and was so obliging in incorporating our wishes along with his creative ideas.
Thank you to Danielle Latta of HELP4BIS who has enthusiastically agreed to build our site for which we are very grateful.