ATTRACTIVE HOBBY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 153, 16 July 1937, Page 12

ATTRACTIVE HOBBY

Taxidermist Paints Fish Painting the exhibite which, as taxidermist, he prepared for exhibition at the Auckland War Memorial Museutn is a fascinating hobby pursued by Mr. C. W. Do-ver, of Parnell, that has Tesulted in the aceumulation of many excellent reproductions of birds, fish and animals. * All his life, in England an^ New Zealand, Mr Dover has had this doubld occupation, acting as a prof essional taxidermist .during the day and working with oils and water colours in his spare time and during his holidays. Over many years he has made huhdreds of paintings, and although he has sold or given away numbers- oi tkem, he retains a collection of over 150 at his home. As a young man he painted many Eastern scenes, Welslx landscapes, and other subjeets, but the rich, attractive colouring of tha *exhibits upon whieh he worked jirofessionally developed within him adesire to Teproduce theifr beauty with his brush. Besides painting exhibits Mr. Dover also paints from life, and has spent much time in the country or at the Auckland Zoo working on both animals and birds. Since his arrival in New Zealand about eight years ago he has painted practically . aU the well-known species of native birds, as well as many raTe varieties. Fish have also formed the subject of his art. "Anything in n&ture that ie beautiful with colour I attempt to copy," Mr. Dover said. He added that he had beeome so familiar with the tinting and the forms of many birds and other subjeets that he could picture in his mind the finished painting and would work to that design. Althongh he has Hever exhibited his paintings publiely, Mr. Dover has recexved many commissions privately and picfures of his are hung in homes 'n many countries throughout the world. He has sent paintings of Kew Zealand brown and rainbow trout to Scotland and india, paintings of birds to Britisb Columbia, and works on other st&iects to Ireland and England. He will shorfcly start on iseveral reproduetions of New Zealand game fish which have been requested by a London- sportsman,