About Tim

Tim Wilson was New Zealand's most successful landscape painter of the 21st century.

From his Queenstown home and gallery he painted, from memory, those same landscapes that now reside in discerning galleries and private collections around the world. During his lifetime, he became one of New Zealand’s most successful living painters with the historic sale in 2016 of ‘Summer Rains, Doubtful Sounds Impression’ for $575,000 to the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi.

A significant achievement throughout his journey as a painter was the development of an oil painting technique that made his paintings unique in the world. Although taking many years to perfect the exact effect he wanted, Tim truly mastered this in 2005 and became recognised worldwide for the innovation. From this year onwards the mastery of his art went to a completely different level.

Tim used the finest handmade oil paints in the world produced by Michael Harding in the UK who regarded Tim as a living legend in his understanding and handling of oil paints.His unique paintings were made up of 30-40 layers of transparent and translucent glazes layered in such a way that, as light changed, the layers closest to the viewer appeared to disappear, revealing the depth of layers beneath.

"I feel such a strong spiritual sense of belonging in these areas and am constantly drawn back to the fold."

Bio

Born in Palmerston North, Tim Wilson's first trip to the South Island was with his 5th form class during the August school holidays in 1970. As a 16 year old he vividly remembers his awe when travelling down the West Coast and through Haast Pass to Queenstown, thrilling at the power of the Landscape on his emotions.

In Tim's own words, "as the panorama from the isthmus between Lake Wanaka & Lake Hawea came into view it burned an indelible impression on my soul. I knew at that moment my calling. The Haast has such variety of mood and form. The play of light on mists and the seasonal change within inspire such a wide range of emotions. It’s these emotions I aim to portray. I am not simply painting the landscape but the emotional response engendered by it."

"My first trip into the Matukituki Valley was a very difficult one. It was as if I was trespassing and being warned to go no further. An incredible sense of oppression and sadness prevailed. I was being judged in this place, dared almost to continue. Pushing on I came to a bend in the road and was rewarded with such an extraordinary vista filled with incandescent light. The Gods were in this place and I, a mere awestruck mortal, agog at such beauty."

"I found out not long after that this valley had seen much tragedy and wondered if that’s what I was sensing, knowing I would return to this place again and again to be tested. I feel welcome now, as though family."

"Painting the Matukituki, Wakatipu, Manapouri, Te Anau, Wanaka and much more of this remarkable country has taught me so much about myself. I feel such a strong spiritual sense of belonging in these areas and am constantly drawn back to the fold."

"I will be, when I am 90."