Farewell to one of Queenstown’s most renowned artists

His incredibly realistic paintings inspired by the land he loves have brought him high acclaim around the world and his comedic dad jokes are among the best too. Renowned Queenstown artist Graham Brinsley, who could bring literally anything to life on canvas, lost his three-year battle with cancer in his kids’ arms on 1 December, aged 60.

Best known for his amazing lifelike depictions of landscapes and Central Otago stone, he was equally talented at painting horses, dogs or nudes.

Tributes have been flowing in from all over the world from fans, many of whom have multiple Brinsley paintings as features in their homes.

Self-taught, Dunedin-raised Brinsley was just five when he declared he wanted to be an artist. The son of a Presbyterian minister and a creative, opera-singing mum who studied arts in London, Brinsley was encouraged in his gift, spending time painting with his mum in Wanaka. By 14 he was selling his work at street stalls.

Given 25% by a high school art teacher and told he was “too commercial and realistic”, Brinsley went on to prove them wrong, deciding against Art School. Not one to conform, his kids say he was glad he didn’t, “because everyone just wears black and gets stuck in their lane with what they’ve been taught”.

Brinsley was one to celebrate other artists’ work, like Douglas Badcock and Peter McIntyre, more than his own. “He’d gone more into realism and impressionism. He loved Monet and Van Gogh,” says son Thomas. The only one of his paintings he believed was ‘perfect’ sold immediately. He was most chuffed with his last painting of a horse and three dogs at Macetown.

Just weeks ago he’d begun teaching daughter Alexia to paint, lying next to her while giving advice. “He did the sky on my Italy one,” she says, proudly. “I feel very lucky to have his paint brushes and paints and I promised to get better.”

Brinsley was painting up until his last two weeks and always called Central Otago his “spiritual home”, celebrating local seasons in all their glory.

A talented snow and water skier, including barefoot, and enthusiastic 3rd Dan Black Belt in karate, Brinsley travelled to Japan to collect his honours. “He’d put his gi on and do it on the lawn, even chopping wood with his hands,” Thomas says. Samurai swords, daggers and Ninja stars dotted about the house, their dad was a “constant form of entertainment and party tricks”. Trophies for kickboxing also line the cabinet.

He was an exceptional storyteller and talented theatrical, starring in a number of local plays and performances.

A keen conchologist (shell collector), Brinsley was married young to former wife Jenny, his favourite ‘pick-up line’, ‘Do you want to see my shells?’ smiles Alexia.

Brinsley took up scuba diving to further this passion.

In his third year of BA studies, painting into the wee hours to meet demand – up to 40 paintings a day, he quit and painted full-time.

He and Jenny settled in Arrowtown more than 30 years ago. Since then, thousands of his paintings have sold, many through Central Art Gallery where owner Julia Milley says masses of tributes have been rolling in internationally.

“His artwork has touched so many lives, bringing great joy,” she says.

“In recent years he’s become renowned for his amazing impasto oils. Such an incredible talent that will shine on through the many, many paintings that have brought so much pleasure to their owners over the years.”

His kids’ biggest fan, flying to Australia for all of musical theatre actor Alexia’s shows, and having youngest Eleanor play guitar for him, Thomas says his father instilled a real love of music in him too.

Brinsley’s life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service at the Arrowtown Rugby Club on Saturday, 9 December, at 2.30pm.