Hokitika Pins and Buttons

Hokitika is a small town on the west coast of New Zealand South Island. Our visit was part way through a major storm which also dumped huge amounts of snow down to low levels on the mountains. Even the locals were surprised at the unseasonal early snow. This was a windy day on the beach. Lots of driftwood gets washed up and it appears that one of the pastimes of the locals (and visitors?) is to create bizarre sculptures. 13 April, 2015 Canon EOS 550D, ISO 200, f/11, 1/400 sec, 43 mm

The 3000km Tour Aotearoa features 30 official photo checkpoints to record your progress. I've made icons for all thirty and they'd work great as stickers or badges along the route!

Armed with a sketchbook and pens, I recently challenged myself to complete the 3000km Tour Aotearoa, sketching all 30 of the official photo checkpoints. I drew in rain, wind and bbq-hot temperatures, always aware that I had to keep riding on before it got dark! I'm super happy with the results and hope you enjoy them too. Check out the rest of my shop to celebrate your favourite moments of the tour.

During my ride down the length of New Zealand back in 2020 I did a sketch of this clocktower from the backpackers in the middle of town. Two years later I managed to sit with a flat white and a tasty doughnut, sat underneath exactly the same balcony. Good fun!

The Tambo Memorial on Hokitika Beach. Painted at home because I was sneaking in a quick walk along the beach so only had time for a sketch!

A stormy day at Hokitika Beach on the west coast of New Zealand South Island. 13 April, 2015 canon EOS 550D, ISO 200, f/11, 1/400 sec, 23 mm