Recent Testimonials & References...

 

Ko toi te uri o mahara pohewa." [Art is the child of imagination.] 

Quotes from recent clients, students and parents... "We are most grateful for the time, empathy and support we received from Brent during a time of family loss and grief. We asked Brent to involve our grandchildren (and ourselves) in sessions of cartoon creation involving drawing and very importantly the banter and support that Brent brought to the sessions. During these sessions we witnessed the artistic interest in two of our grandchildren and this interest has continued to this day. Brent creates interest and enjoyment in his sessions which are a pleasure to witness." (Richard Openshaw, Timaru.) "I’m pleased to provide this reference for Brent, whom I have known for many years, both personally and professionally. Brent has provided both of my children with lessons many times, both privately and in a group setting. I have always been impressed with his fun (yet professional) manner. And I trust him implicitly! He has been a great mentor and inspiration for my visually-impaired daughter, who is now very keen on becoming a visual artist & animator." (Holly Singline, Timaru.) My wife Ashley Mountfort and I have known Brent for a long time and have hired him for our children’s birthday parties. Kids and adults have loved coming away with his drawings as a party gift. Really amazing, humble guy... Who I highly recommend!" (Peren Mountfort, Dunedin.) "Brent Harpur worked with my 9yr old son Jack. He showed an amazing sense of calmness, softness, kindness and sensitivity. Along with an amazing talent and creative ability. He showed Jack that he CAN draw even though Jack has never seen this talent in himself. Brent guided Jack gently and sincerely to help him discover his creative abilities. Brent is a truly authentic and inspiring man indeed!" (Aaron Kyle, Dunedin.) "We had the pleasure of hosting Brent for our World Fair Trade Day celebrations over two consecutive years. Brent's contribution was fabulous and a real hit with our customers & supporters. His enthusiasm, incredible artistic skills and his rapport with people is so evident from the very first drawing. People left with a personalised work of art to treasure and it was a privilege to have him join us. We cannot recommend Brent enough. He is a caring, generous and creative human being who lives his art." (Dean Griffiths, Manager Trade Aid Dunedin.) "We have met Brent at a kids' birthday party. He was the entertainer for the day. It is really something that just comes natural to him! Children and adults alike seem to just gravitate towards his easy nature and ability to teach so freely and without judgement. It is here that my child's love for drawing just intensified and she had a new found confidence in herself. She had such an awesome time and was so fired up that her sisters (that were not at the party with us) couldn't help but catch on. And couldn't wait to meet Brent and also draw with him!From here a friendship formed and my kids enjoy drawing with Brent and learning from him. I enjoy observing Brent interacting with kids and catching the moments on camera. He truly is an inspiration and an amazing artist and friend." (Leanne Breet, Palmerston.) "Brent Harpur is a brilliant cartoonist and all round lovely person!" (Lorraine Chisholm, client.) "I thoroughly recommend Brent for work with schools, birthday parties and tutorials/holiday programmes. He's worked heaps with my boy and at my school... The kids loved learning with him!!" (Meg Gallagher, Palmerston.) We have had a brilliant morning at the farmers market on Children's Day today! We met an amazing cartoonist Brent. Drawing is one of our son Archie's favourite things to do, but being a very shy and anxious child meeting new people, he held back and didn't want to join the others to learn more. But he really longed to. Brent was amazing and came to Archie and spent some one on one time with him. And together they drew some cartoons. Archie learnt a great deal today from Brent and spent ages drawing with him after that. I am so proud of Archie overcoming his fear of meeting a new person and really embracing the experience. It was a fantastic morning for him!" (Hannah Hill, Oamaru.) "Hi Brent. I just wanted to send you a message to say thank you so much for the cartoons you did for my boys (on Friday) when we bumped into you in Taste Cafe. They were thrilled with them! I have them all framed, ready to be hung on the wall. You have an amazing talent! And I really hope your shop gets the go ahead, as I think you have so much talent to share with others!! Thanks again!" (Christy, Oamaru.) We came to Oamaru for a holiday (from Christchurch) earlier this year. I follow Brent Harpur on Facebook and saw he had moved to Oamaru, so we looked him up. He was super- friendly, met us for a coffee and showed us around the Victorian District. The next day we went to his home studio, where he gave my kids a wonderful cartoon lesson and drew pictures of them all to take home. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and can't wait for our next visit to Oamaru!" (Shanna Howden, Christchurch.) "Brent recently ran a three hour cartooning workshop for our group of eleven kids aged 7 – 12 years. He was great with the kids, interacting well with them, with his friendly, easy manner, and good humour, yet still keeping control of the class. He puts everyone at ease, and is both encouraging and enthusiastic. Brent’s demonstrations and instructions were easy to follow, catering for both the very young, but also allowing and encouraging the older children to put their own flair and creativity on their drawings. A fun, inspiring afternoon, which all the kids seemed to enjoy. Thanks Brent!" (Tina Hendry, Children’s Art Group Co-ordinator, Fairlie.) "Thanks Brent! The evening you arranged for our team-building was exactly what I was looking for. The team tried something different and had a great time along the way. You created a positive, fun and supportive environment which is the pillar for any team. Thanks again!" (Ben, OfficeMax, Dunedin.) "I remember meeting Brent (back in the early 90s in Palmerston North) when I was 10 or 11 years old. His infectious joy and calm was something that my younger brothers and I were naturally drawn to. Brent was involved in the same folk group as my parents so we saw him often over the next few years and always enjoyed his funny drawings and peaceful nature. Around 25 years later, completely by chance, I came across Brent doing a cartooning workshop at our local rural library, for which I signed up my four children. I have enjoyed catching up with Brent a number of times since (including at one of his cartoon birthday parties). And my children have loved learning with him, being inspired by him to create their own masterpieces, and collecting personalised pictures by Brent himself each time we see him. Brent has a commanding yet peaceful presence and smiling face that lights up a whole room. The title 'child whisperer' is an apt one and Brent has worn it well for generations, appealing to children of all ages, scattering joy wherever he goes. Thank you Brent! We love your work!!" (Joey Smeaton & family, Palmerston (South).) "Brent Harpur has become an essential part of the Oamaru Farmers’ Market, pre COVID-19. He is fantastic to watch and learn from and the children especially love to learn from him. Brent was the highlight of our Children’s Day event at the beginning of March, with crowds surrounding him to watch his cartoons being drawn and lining up for lessons. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending him for future endeavours." (Manager, Oamaru Farmers' Market.) "Brent Harpur has been amazing with our boys aged seven and nine. Our nine year old is shy and anxious but felt at ease and safe while drawing with Brent. Both boys enjoyed their sessions so much and loved learning new ways to draw characters and animals. My eldest now spends most of his spare time drawing . It’s a wonderful creative outlet for him and we can’t wait to spend time drawing with Brent again!!" (Stacey Bell, Dunedin.) "Brent Harpur was an absolute, exciting professional artist to work with. I booked a one on one session for my 8 yr old daughter. He had her engaged and chatting from start to finish. He asked about her interests and used that as a source of topic. Subsequently we booked more sessions as she was motivated and inspired. I would totally recommend him to work with individuals or in classes. I wish him the best for the future."  (Angelina Kiore, Dunedin.) "Highly recommend Brent’s classes during the school holidays. My son loved the class so much that he asked if he can go to Brent’s everyday after school. Thank you for encouraging children to embrace their creativity!" (Tessa Simpson, Oamaru.) "Thanks again Brent, our daughter loved your class, drawings and interaction, and loved the idea of coming back for another one! All the best until we see you again!" (Parent, Dunedin.)

Cartooning Lesson with Emahlynn...

 

"[Kids] don't remember what you try to teach them.

They remember what you are."

Jim Henson

I had a great little 2hr cartoon lesson last Saturday (in my shop/studio) with

Emahlynn, visiting from Dunedin.

She told her Mum & Dad that she wanted to draw with me

without them being present...

And it means the world to me (with my 30yrs of experience teaching this year)

that they were more than happy to oblige her request.

The trust, rapport and connection that comes from

working with tamariki (for so long) is something that I am very proud of.

And the on-going endorsement & support from parents

(for my life's work and legacy as an educator & role-model)

is very, very appreciated!!

"Thanks again Brent, Emahlynn loved your class, drawings & interaction,

and loved the idea of coming back for another one!

All the best until we see you again."

Vale Nick Knox, Singer, Musician, Composer, Friend...

 

"We hear only our own voices,

still echoes returning to our emptiness."

Dejan Stojanovic

Last Friday night, I was deeply sad & heartbroke to hear of the sudden passing

of Dunedin-based (but world-recognised* & widely respected)

singer/composer/musician,

Nick Knox.

You will be so missed, buddy. And by so, so (so!!) many.

Your incredible voice & enviable mastery of the ivories was so wonderfully unique,

primal, other-worldly & vital. To witness you play live... Words can't even begin to

describe the sounds and the chords that you dredged from the

deepest recesses of your fingertips, heart & your soul.

But even rarer, perhaps, was your huge, impressive well of attributes & gifts off-stage.

I was constantly stunned & awed by the deep levels of

patience, compassion, intelligence, humility, grace & humour

that you (constantly, unwaveringly) shared with those in your life that mattered.

You truly saw (and engaged with) the young, blazing (often misunderstood) creatives

that most of Dunedin overlook, avoid or ignore.

You honestly & whole-heartedly connected with them, through (often collective)

highest highs and darkest lows.

It's quite possible that you were the most empathetic & intuitive human

that I've had the pleasure & good fortune to meet.

Ever.

And, above all else, you were a true, genuine (and generous),

always constant gentle-man. I felt honoured to know you.

From my all-too-short three years in Dunedin, I will (now) fondly remember

the long, never dull, late-night/early morning conversations we shared

(usually at 'the Dog'). Your unbridled passion & spirit for all things creative

was an absolute joy to converse and engage with.

And you were fucken wise & intelligent, too.

When I made the difficult decision to move to Oamaru (a decision that most people

in my life at the time didn't understand), you had my back. You got the reasons why.

I won't go into them here. But I'll always love you for that show of support.

I am stunned.

It's only just beginning to sink in.

What a huge, incredibly sad loss...

For Aotearoa. And for the world.

Nick:

Your inimitable talents & your beautiful nature/character

were too brief. Too fleeting.

Thank you so, so much...

For the music, that voice, but also the oh-so refreshing lack of ego!!

Thank you, too, for the precious time you shared with us.

That attentiveness & rare presence.

The strength that comes from vulnerability.

The best bear-hugs!

That smile. And the laughter.

And the kindness. So much kindness.

I love you brother!

Arohanui

(Brent Harpur, 19/2/2021.)

"When great trees fall rocks on distant hills shudder."

Maya Angelou

*Footnote:

During his lifetime, filmmakers

Jan Oliver Lucks & Miranda Bellamy

were commissioned (by the BBC no less!)

to make a short doco about Nick. It is called

"The Characteristics of C-Minor"

and you can view it on-line, here:

https://vimeo.com/96039873

And so it begins (part one)...

"Only those who will risk going too far can

possibly find out how far one can go."

T.S. Eliot

(Photo: Meg Gallagher, 2020.)

The day before the country officially shut down...

The BEST cheese sandwiches EVER!!

Wow. Helluva day.

I woke up nice & early this morning & unlocked my front door,

so my caregiver could get in. I went back to my bedroom,

lay on the bed & closed my eyes... I thought I was only dozing,

but I must have fallen into a deep sleep.

When my caregiver arrived and knocked on the door,

I awoke with a jump, sat up in fright, and...

CRACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first-ever dislocated shoulder and arm!

I won't bore you with the details, but OMFG.

I was screaming & crying in pain for the next three hours.

Thank you, to the wonderful ambulance staff, who got me down

to the hospital Emergency ward promptly.

But, more importantly, somehow helped me get my underwear & my jeans on.

And that damn-fine "green whistle of pain relief"!!

If you've had a baby before,

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about!!

The next four hours is a blur of X-rays, doctors,

second opinions, codeine, ibuprofen, excruciatingly painful examinations...

And (finally) somehow being turned over onto my front,

having a weight in a stocking tied to my drawing arm, stretching it to the floor...

No mean feat, when most of the morning it had been

locked into my chest, like a demented chicken wing!

Not a good look, when you're supposed to be recovering

from (very) recent hernia surgery.

Somehow, finally, after nearly an hour in this position

(and being even more thankful at this point for the aforementioned assistance

getting into my boxers), everything just "clunked" & fell back into place.

And, instantly (by some sort of miracle),

after nearly fours of intense pain & so, so many tears

(this, folks, is one of the numerous reasons why I'm NOT an All-Black!!),

my shoulder, arm & hand pain (and paralysis) all but abated.

Nearly completely.

Just like that.

I've had a near-miss with a kidney stone.

I've experienced the aftermath of a rejecting cornea graft - don't ask!!

And the pain today was definitely up there with both

of those medical misadventures.

A female friend on Facebook said that she had given birth "twice" and

had also had a dislocated shoulder. And she told me she would choose
childbirth before the dislocated shoulder!!

That made me feel a lot better.

I'm so, SO thankful...

To ALL the staff at Oamaru hospital - You were absolutely amazing!!!

And to my caregiver, who I probably scared half to death this morning.

I'm also SO very grateful, for the three friends I reached out to,

who I texted or called during a whirlwind of emotions, agony, terror & confusion...

And I was high on hospital drugs, not a good way to make a phone call...

 Thank you for being there!! You're AMAZING!!!! 

And thank you, too
to the District Health Nurse who helped to get me home again...

Right at the end of my brief hospital stay, THIS.

(see photo at the top of this post)

After the ordeal was all over (and I was waiting for my ride home)
 a nurse brought me in some food.

And these (my first feed of the day)
were the BEST cheese sandwiches

EVER!!!!!

Happy to report:

I'm home. Safe, eating my body-weight in Whittakers,

and, like the rest of Aotearoa, awaiting day one of our month-long lockdown...

I'm a little scared, but I've got this. We've got this!!

We'll be okay. The world is watching!

And we've got the BEST damn Prime Minister on the planet!!

We are SO lucky! And to have free public hospital care!!

The BEST damn Prime Minister on the planet!!

Just be kind.

To yourself. And to one another.

We'll get through this, I promise!!

I just listened to Crowded House for inspiration.

Neil's song, "Together Alone".

It speaks so, so much of the unity we' re about to face.

You can listen to it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ESoGnWk830

Side by side, or far apart, we are united. One.

And hey! If you need a friend at the end of the phone,

just reach out. Text or call...

Just not tonight, 'cause I'm high as a kite

on codeine & chocolate!!!

(This blog entry originally appeared as a Facebook post on 25/3/2020.)

(c) Brent M Harpur, 2020.

Creativity Can Create Community...

Kia ora!

"Creativity Can Create Community..."

Aotearoa (NZ) is officially going into lockdown at midnight on Wed 25th March.

Schools are closing and families are being urged to stay at home

and to isolate for the next four weeks.

It is a scary time for us all.

And as a children's entertainer and art teacher, I thought:

"What can I do to help?"

I had planned on running some cartooning classes in the

upcoming April School Holidays.

So, here's what I am planning on doing while

I am in lockdown for the next four weeks.

Starting from this coming Thursday 26th March

(at approximately 7pm NZTime), on this Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/drawingonthelightside/

I will be sharing (every day) some cartoon lessons

& fun activities for tamariki (children).

I will also be encouraging children (through their parents, online)

to share around (on Social Media) with each other

the results of these online lessons.

And because this page is Public, anyone on Facebook can take part.

Teachers and educators will be encouraged to participate, too.

Be sure to "Like" the page and share it around.

If you have friends (and their families) who would benefit

from this (but are not on Facebook), every couple of days

I will put some of these lessons up HERE on this blog, too. 

Next year, I am celebrating 30years as an art educator!

I ran my first ever class (with adults, in Wellington) in July 1991.

I am very proud of this. And look forward to celebrating this big year with you all,

in a more public setting, sometime in July 2021!!

I hope you enjoy the content I share on here.

By all means, keep in touch during these next four weeks.

If you like, you can take some photos of the cartoons that you create

and send them to me, via F/B or email... (contact details below)

In these uncertain times, I truely believe that:

"Creativity Can Create Community".

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drawingonthelightside/

Email: cartoonbrent@gmail.com

In the meantime...

Take good care of one another!

Be kind!!

And keep using your intuition and initiative.

If you see someone struggling or needing help,

reach out & do what you can. 

It is the little things we do for one another that have

a big ripple affect & can change the world.

Never forget that!!

Arohanui, Kia Kaha!!

From Brent Harpur, the 'Kiwi Cartoonist'.

"What we need in this world are more people

who specialise in the impossible."

Theodore Roethke

The Child Whisperer...

(Vogel St Party, Dunedin, NZ, 2017.)

“For life is the best thing we have in this existence.
And if we should desire to believe in something, it should be a beacon within.
This beacon being the sun, sea, and sky,
our children, our work, our companions and, most simply put,
the embodiment of love.”
Patti Smith

At the tender age of 51, I struggle to articulate verbally

just what it is I do for a living (and have been for nearly thirty years)...

This photo popped up in my social media memories this morning. It was taken

at the Vogel St Party (in Dunedin) in late 2017. In it, I am doing what comes naturally to me,

and I started way back in 1991. I don't understand how it happens.

But a lot of my closer friends & creative allies (over the years) have referred to me

as a "Child Whisperer". It is a role I am allowed to continue based on

reputation & hard-earned trust. Not by the children themselves, but by their parents

& guardians. And for this, I am extremely grateful & immensely thankful.

This connection & magic that flows back and forth between myself and my students

comes with a huge amount of responsibility. I take this very seriously.

And I feel very humbled that people continue to trust me and

allow me to work and create with their children.

The other night I attended a talk where the speakers talked about language & words.

And how some things (like music & poetry) completely surpass & transcend the

boundaries & limits that language contains. Having had the good fortune to
work with children in both Mexico & Brazil,
I have had firsthand experience of this "international language"
of cartooning. It is a language that not only bridges gaps in spoken words
but also in connections between children and adults.
I still don't understand how this works, but I'm constantly learning (even now) as an educator/entertainer to just let go, follow my heart + intuition
and give freely of my skills, experiences & knowledge.
I don't know how this changes my students/recipients,
but now (more than ever, in this world that we've created & 
leave for the next generation)
I think this work is vital. And important.

I'm doing my small bit for youth and tamariki. Does it help?
I hope so. It makes me happy. And, if in the brief exchange between
teacher & student, it makes a difference... 
If, just for a moment, I can create (or share) a little joy with another.
Give them a safe space.
And perhaps install in another growing human being
a creative means of self esteem, confidence
(an outlet / tool for expression, and being alone, but not lonely).

This is it.
What I do for a living, my life's work.
My everything.
My legacy & contribution.
I hope that it is enough.

And thank you (again)...
 For the continued belief, support.

And trust.

(c) Brent M Harpur, 2020.

(This blog entry originally appeared as a Facebook post on 9/2/2020.)