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Saturday
Mar122005

Local Artist Displays Works in New Zealand Gallery

Impressionist João de Brito Paints along the Bay of Plenty

3/11/2005 - CAPITOLA, CA—A three-week visit to New Zealand has turned into an international showing opportunity for local artist João de Brito. In early February, de Brito landed in Tauranga with plans to tour the countryside with friends who’d moved to the South Pacific Island. Instead, the impressionist artist found himself with oil paints, brushes and canvases, painting landscapes and seascapes along the Bay of Plenty. “The topography was extremely lush and green – it reminded me of my homeland,” said de Brito who was born and raised in the Portuguese Azores Islands. “I was so comfortable and inspired that I let go of my touring plans and allowed the artist to go to work.”

As de Brito traversed the Bay of Plenty coastline and set up his easel, he often painted alongside Maori artist Jo Puha, w ho lives in London and was on holiday visiting family. According to de Brito, the native New Zealand creatives shared their stories and their hearts, bringing the culture and the experience to life. “Spending time with the Maori was a highlight for me,” de Brito explained. “They helped me capture the essence of New Zealand and as a result, I was able to transform its beauty and strength onto canvas.”

During his Papamoa Beach stay, De Brito’s talents were made known to
Local ceramic artist Maureen Ball who with five other partners own and operate the Pyromania Art Center in downtown Tauranga, a city nicknamed ‘The Oceanic Paradise of New Zealand.’ Today, eight of de Brito’s New Zealand paintings are featured in the gallery, which is known internationally for its excellence in New Zealand arts and crafts. “I am honored that fellow artists appreciate my work and my representation of their countryside,” de Brito said.

De Brito has lived in the Monterey Bay Area for 20 years and displays many of his works at the Thanassi Gallery in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Nido Gallery in Monterey, California, and Many Hands Galleries in Capitola and Santa Cruz.

De Brito not only draws from his Portuguese roots when painting in oils, he incorporates influences by great French fauvists and early California impressionists such as August Gay, Seldon Gile and others. He has enjoyed successful shows in Washington D.C., New England, San Francisco, San Jose California, Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca do Campo, Azores.