Bernard McBride

Bernard McBride's inspiration has always come from nature and music. His current work shifted to experimenting with dot compositions. These are freeform coloured pointillism pieces that focus on using acrylics and mixed media on canvas. Bernard finds this practise time-consuming, relaxing, and therapeutic. He used to paint figures in black and white pointillism with ink, and then explored fluid painting on board and canvas, creating about 35 paintings.

As a child he spent a lot of time on high country stations in the Mackenzie basin, lying on the top of tussock covered hills and drifting into fantasy battles. Playing with clouds pushed and twisted by the roaring nor’westers. In his mind he would change colours and shape to suit whatever adventure was playing out.
“I carry this method into all that nature presents every day. From the ever-changing ripples on the harbour and in the puddles, to the rust and yellows of the windblown leaves and autumn shedding. Nothing beats the battles that occur in the flames and smoke of an open fire. A kaleidoscope of colour and movement, light and dark. The choices envelope us constantly inviting us to play.”
Music has a similar influence for Bernard, as “one who thinks and views life in pictures the effect of music is profound”. For him music creates a calming effect, and can inspire rich sensations of colour to incorporate. More often than not when painting, music will also offer up the title to Bernard’s work in progress.
“From the beauty and lightness of the yellows, whites and blues of Beethoven’s Adagio in his ‘Emperor’ concerto to the   broad colourful greens and red splashes of Dvorak’s ‘New World’ Symphony. For something that embraces all the primary colours and puts them through the ringer The Beatles ‘A Day in the Life’ is hard to beat.”  

Bernard McBride is a Wellington based artist who completed a degree in Visual Communication Design with Honours at Massey University. He also graduated from the National Drama School, specialising in acting for stage, film and television. Bernard was a house-husband for many years, marrying an artist with whom he set up a graphic design business. In his career he worked in Film and TV as a Commercial producer, director and casting director. He also worked for the Court Theatre as an actor, stage manager, set designer, and constructor.