US pair drawn to local studio

Two artists from Seattle, in the US, have arrived at New Pacific Studio, Mt Bruce, but have very different agendas.

Author Bay Anapol has put herself into voluntary exile, or as she describes it "under house arrest" so she can put in some intense hours writing a novel.

Visual artist Jeanne Dodds organised a free demonstration of her work at Aratoi yesterday and is to hold a workshop on Saturday for 15 people who can book by either calling Aratoi or NPS.

Both visitors, while doing things differently, have a common theme in that they are avid fans of NPS.

Ms Anapol said she had been at NPS a few years back "and it remains the best work experience I've ever had".

She said she had been able to think and "dream much more clearly."

A special Wairarapa memory for her is the "silent train ride" from Wellington to Masterton. "I think New Zealanders respect the quiet they create," she said.

At home in North Seattle she and her partner have a two-bedroom condominium.

"We both work from home quite a bit. During a typical working day I usually ask him to turn down the music a few times."

Ms Anapol writes video games for Microsoft and her return to NPS comes after her first stint six years ago.

Ms Dodds is an experienced art teacher and runs her own business called Artemis.

Her passion for scientific illustration will be on display at Aratoi and she said she was drawn to New Zealand partly because of the "striking connection between the Pacific Northwest and New Zealand - climate, green politics and landscapes."

"My artwork is threaded with environmental themes, so travelling to New Zealand to develop these concepts was a natural choice."

She said at NPS she can wake up and start creating right away - "a rare gift".