fine art impressionist painter - oils & watercolour
Michael Ponder is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's finest artists So says David Potter, retired gallery businessman and friend. Born in 1943 to parents who were both accomplished watercolourists (his father was an architect) it was not surprising that Mike showed ability to draw at school. A friend invited him to art classes, but part-way through the first lesson Michael decided that it wasn't for him and brought his formal art lessons to an abrupt close. While he painted spasmodically through his 20's, it was not until his brother Richard, also an artist, introduced him to painting with a palette knife that he felt he had found the technique that best suited him.
Being self-taught has allowed Mike to develop his own unique technique with knife painting, something that contributed greatly to his success. Initially, Michael and Richard exhibited together, where they were met with sell-out, and near sell-out exhibitions. After about two years of working together, Richard felt that he needed to branch out and exhibit on his own, so Mike was faced with supporting his wife and family of three at a time when professional artists in New Zealand were few and far between. However, by slowly paring away unnecessary detail and homing in on that which was important to the essence of the picture, Michael developed his own unique genre for which he is now recognised. This was the time too when he began painting people, bucking the trend of the time, and slowly, demand for Mike's work expanded along with the new techniques he was developing. One of these techniques was the 'touch of red', something which grew out of the need to brighten an otherwise drab bush scene that he had painted. His wife Diane suggested perhaps adding some Rata, and that 'touch of red' was the beginning of what has become almost a trademark for Michael.
David Potter, Downtown Hilton Gallery owner at the time, took him under his wing, and together with others, actively promoted his work. It was the early eighties, and apart from galleries within New Zealand, work was also going to the Greythorne Gallery in Melbourne. He joined up with Bob Gibbs (sculptor), Norm Clark (bone carver), Isobel McBeath (watercolourist) and Steve McCarthy (potter) at this time, and together they became known as "The Five Artists", a group who were wonderfully successful both within New Zealand and overseas.
From 1983, and for the next four years, travel to Europe became one of Michael's inspirational extras, and he also exhibited very successfully in Australia, England and the USA during this period. However the pace was beginning to take its toll by 1987, so he cast around for an alternative life-style which would allow him to continue painting at a reduced tempo, but also bring in income from something else. At the time, the Ponders were living in Marlborough, so what more logical move than to buy almost 90 acres of land and turn it into wine! Some of the land which was not suitable for vines was planted with olives, and thus began what has now become the world-renowned Ponder Estate, selling Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc to a very appreciative world market.
Michael's art did not completely take a back seat, and in fact it was called upon to very effectively tide the Estate over during difficult times between 1991 and 1994 before production was up to full capacity. Now he spends his time divided between the Estate, and painting with that knife technique of his and his 'touch of red'.
If you would like to keep up with 's latest art works, our website will be showcasing them as they become available, so please visit us regularly or even better, subscribe to our mailing list. 's paintings can be viewed, along with other fine art, at R.Ponders' RONA GALLERY, Eastbourne, Wellington.