Art Gallery New Zealand

Alan G. Collins was Wellington born and came to live in Eastbourne in 1928.
He drew and painted before he could write. Soon Alan was recording everything on paper - from the opeing of the Carillon, the Cobar aground on the beach, the departure of Lord Galway escorted by units of the NZ Navy and the Imperial Fleet and the groups of Italian fishing launches being built on the corner of Rona Street. The hulls were all painted with red lead primer (that's why the orange in his paint box was used up first).
After completing Art School at Wellington Technical College, hebecame an artist at Government Publicity then an illustrator in a London Advertising agency.
Nothing though could prepare him for his next job which required him to complete 400 oil paintings a week. Still wishing to learn more, he studied at London Central School of Art and Design and had one watercolour accepted by the Royal Academy of Arts.
On returning to Wellington he was elected an Artist Member of NZ Academy of Fine Arts and rejoined National Publicity, progressing to Art Director and in control until retirement.
Watercolours became a principle interest again because of their portability whilst travelling and the challenge to try and control this fickle medium.
Preferring to work alone, Alan is 'en plein air' painter trying to acccurately capture the scene, ther on the spot.
"When painting, "May I watch" requests are answered by "Yes, but please would you mind not talking to me as this requires all the concentration that I can muster" seem to ffall on deaf ears because the audience will "Ooh" and "Ah" and carry on an audible running commentary amongst themselves anyway.
I once stopped to stretch while painting in Venice and at a quick count found I had an audience of about 30. Overseas they may murmur "Bella" or "Hi" or "Core blimey" and walk on."
Something the plein air painter must to get used to.
Now at 2007, he is a proud 'Friend' Member of the Royal Watercolour Society. RONA congratulates him on this achievement.
His new exhibition is coming up in November 2007.