A stroke of local genius

05 Aug 2025

Something colourful is catching people’s eye in downtown Greymouth. Tucked into the front window of the local Resene ColorShop is a rotating display of bold, imaginative artwork. It’s not just a clever way to show off colour, it’s also the creative outlet of local artist (and Resene team member) Mike Roberts, who’s combining his passion for painting with a practical nod to his day job.

“I work for the Resene resellers in Greymouth, and we made a little place in the front window to display some art,” says Mike. “The idea is hopefully to show artists and budding artists to think of Resene for paint, something many artists know anyway, of course.”

In this striking landscape painting, Mike uses a blend of Resene White, Resene Nero, Resene Turbo, Resene Bright Red, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Lip Service, Resene Hot Toddy and Resene Sepia – often combining colours to get the right tone.

The window gallery is Mike’s way of inviting the community to see the store in a new light. With paintings changing every two to three months, it encourages locals to stroll by regularly and reminds them that the shop isn’t just a place to buy paint, it’s part of the creative heartbeat of the town. “It will hopefully get locals popping past to see what's new in the window,” he says. “Maybe they’ll remember it as ‘the paint shop with pictures in the window!’”

Mike’s work spans a mix of local landscapes, portraits and pop culture references painted using Resene products – something he swears by for both quality and versatility. “I use Resene paint as I have been around the paint industry for many years, on both sides of the counter, and have found the quality to be of a consistent high standard,” he says.

Mike’s paintings displayed in the Resene resellers store window in Greymouth.

His painting process starts with Resene Quick Dry primer on canvas or board, followed by Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in an array of colours and sealed with Resene Aquaclear or Resene Clearcoat UVS for window display works. “These not only protect the paints and painting, but make the colours pop so much better,” Mike says.

Mike’s style leans towards realist illustration, drawing inspiration from the beauty of the West Coast, pop culture and even music, especially when he ventures into more abstract territory. “With each painting, you learn a little more, which is experience for the next one. It's a learning curve that never ends.”

Mike’s landscape paintings are lifelike and detailed, painted in a mix of Resene White, Resene Nero, Resene Deep Teal, Resene Bedrock, Resene Hot Toddy, Resene Sepia and a blend of primary hues.

Though he’s sold artworks before and has a background in signwriting, his art journey has ramped up since he returned to Greymouth five years ago. “It was a lifestyle choice to get a good work/life balance, buy a house and set up a studio,” he says. That balance now includes working at Resene while building his art practice on the side, with dreams of making it a more regular gig.

He credits store owner Colin with supporting the window project, and locals have already been pausing to admire the display. “I particularly enjoyed a group of Japanese tourists waiting for the TranzAlpine train gathered around the window for a good look!” he says.

This whimsical Christmas themed painting uses Resene Resolution Blue to highlight the depth of a winter’s night sky, along with bold Resene Bright Red and Resene White.

Mike’s colour palette is often mixed from base hues, with favourites like Resene Turbo, Resene Bright Red and Resene Resolution Blue in high rotation, plus a soft spot for Resene Deep Teal and the Resene Metallic FX range, especially Resene Bedrock, which he uses to edge his canvases for a touch of sparkle.

Mike alongside a sketch he is doing for his niece.

“I love to give our little store a promotion and let customers know we’re here to provide painting art advice along with general paint advice,” he says. “And a little self-promotion too, as I look to start selling a little more as I settle into a permanent home studio.”

Check out Mike’s Facebook art page Micistm Art or better yet, swing by the Greymouth Resene ColorShop and see what’s new in the window!

Published: 05 Aug 2025