From easel to table

Local fauve artist Carole Hughes has broadened her range to include placemats and coasters – just in time for Christmas.

One of Cambridge’s best-known artists, Carole Hughes, is now making her bold, colourful work available on placemats and coasters.

The sets are smaller versions of her often very large paintings, many of which hang in galleries, homes and corporate premises throughout New Zealand and further afield.

The long-time artist has made a name for herself over the past two and a half decades with a fauve art style of painting, using strong colour and bold strokes to bring to life scenes typical of many places she has visited across Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Bosnia and Serbia.  Until now, her works have been available mainly through galleries or through direct contact with Carole.

The decision to put them onto placemats and coasters offers fans another way to exhibit her art into their homes.

“I’m not sure how many other artists have done it, but it certainly makes the art more accessible,” she said. “The sets will be sold in packs of six – either placemats or coasters – with each pack being a mixture of my paintings.

“They all have to be ordered in advance, so people do need to give me some notice. And if they want a pack of just one particular painting, they need to let me know.”

The placemats and coasters will likely be a good fit for those looking for upmarket gifts for the upcoming Christmas and weddings season, with a uniquely Cambridge flair.

Sets need to be ordered in advance, either through Carole’s website www.carolehughesart.co.nz or by phoning her on 07 827 5727 or 021 401 951.

More Recent News

It’s a top shot

Waikato photographer Lucy Schultz has been highly commended in this year’s Oceania photography contest run by The Nature Conservancy for a photo she took on Sanctuary Mountain. Her image ‘Moa Hunter’ shows Bodie Taylor (Ngāti…

Feral cat call gets support

Waipā has welcomed the announcement that feral cats will be added to New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 strategy. Last week conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirmed feral cats will join possums, rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets…

Message received

Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick and board member Chris Minneé took an early step towards explaining the board’s work to the wider public when they addressed last week’s final meeting for 2025 of the…

Fatigue: a killer on the road

Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave has issued a warning to motorists ahead of the festive season about driver fatigue. Scania Rangi Te Whare of Te Kūiti died from injuries suffered in a crash at Ngāhinapōuri in November…