The short answer is: the outdoors
The long answer I have to explain with a story. This morning we went kayak fishing with the boys. We were out there a couple of hours and circumnavigated the island directly off the beach from where we live. We paddled into a few caves, hugged the coast and peered into crystal clear water and chased schools of fish. When we started out the bay was completely still and the reflections mirror perfect, by the time we came in there was a gentle rolling swell and the hint of a northerly ruffling the surface of the ocean.
Tyrell and Jonty were doing circuits around a bay behind the island hoping to entice some kahawai onto their lure. Jonty was sitting up on the top of the kayak behind his seat to get a better view. He is such an ocean kid, at ease and content to float around all day. Felix is happy so long as the snacks are flowing. While they were chasing ripples I was gazing out towards Castle Rock and the Alderman Islands daydreaming and listening to Felix’s chatter.
Then all of a sudden I’m hit with an image. Its Castle Rock from eye level, kayak view but also from above. It’s surrounded by colour and life and hammerhead sharks (last time I was out there we saw a school of them). It’s flowing, vibrant, full of movement and showing different aspects and viewpoints all at once. As we continue around the island I replicate the image with each island I can see substituting the wildlife for what matches my experiences. Marlin jumping while I paddle board around the Aldermans, orca following me around Motueka Island, schools of maomao, snapper, gannets and gulls flying overhead and shags drying out on rocks.
My mind is overflowing with images all jostling for attention. All the hours spent floating around the bay merge together, the memories of things seen adding layers of interest. As soon as we’re home I go straight to my studio to capture it all in my ‘ideas’ book before they dissipate. Two pages are instantly filled. There’s six months worth of paintings staring back at me. And all the previous pages are the same. The problem is never what to paint but what idea to choose to do next.