Old New Zealand dairy factories have either disappeared or been given new life as something completely different. One of the more enduring and interesting transformations is just south of Katikati.

Anthony Warnes, with one of his latest works: ‘Enchanted Garden’.

Part of the building began life as a butter factory built in 1902 but for more than 40 years it’s been home to the quirky and atmospheric Spanish-style Forta Leza Restaurant. And for two decades its doubled as a gallery for resident artist Anthony Warnes.

Anthony has lived in the ‘House Above the Brook’ next to the inn and displayed his paintings there on and off for 24 years.

The self-taught artist has a loyal following of art lovers in New Zealand and around the world, including many who own several of his impressionist style paintings. Anthony’s art is also displayed in New Zealand galleries and he’s had exhibitions in the Auckland City Art Gallery and Te Papa.

Anthony is a somewhat shy artist, more keen to express himself through his work than talk about it.

He grew up in Tauranga and from about the age of five displayed such talent for drawing cartoon figures, his grandmother sent a portfolio off to Walt Disney in the USA.

“I got a letter back saying not to stop drawing,” says Anthony.

Cats in hats
He took that advice and continued to draw what he calls “mad characters, such as cats with top hats” throughout his school years.

When he was in his early teens Anthony served as deckhand on a fishing charter boat operating out of Tauranga.

“On one occasion I was at the helm and not really paying attention. The skipper reckons I nearly hit a buoy. He banned me from the wheelhouse from then on, because he reckoned I could have sunk the boat.”

Anthony enjoyed his time at sea so much that fish, boats and the ocean feature strongly in his paintings. Gardening is another strong influence.

“I like gardening, always have,” he says.

Anthony describes his distinctive and whimsical figurative works as a manifestation of his early cartoon drawings. However, his landscapes are inspired by the great masters and early 19th Century New Zealand painters.

Fish and the ocean feature strongly in Anthony Warnes’ paintings.

Enchanted Garden
Highly critical of his own work, Anthony says he’d like to re-work many paintings now in private ownership.

Among them in ‘Picasso’s Attic’, on display at Forta Leza. “I’d change that orange curtain if I could, but it’s not my painting any more so I can’t,” says Anthony.

One painting he’s happy with is a recent work called ‘Enchanted Garden’. It’s a large painting featuring stylised lilies. “I’m happy with this one. I think it’s one of the best I’ve done.”

Anthony’s techniques include pencil-thin brush strokes, textured effects achieved through the use of thickly applied paint, and striking use of light to highlight subjects. “I use brushes of all sizes, and my fingers at times.”

Forta Leza has many of Anthony’s works on display and for sale, and he’s often on hand to talk to visitors too.

Portrait of a young boy fishing – the artist Anthony Warnes says it might even be a self-portrait.

‘Picasso’s Attic’, by Anthony Warnes, on display at Forta Leza.

Well-dressed ladies and pampered dogs are the subject of this work by Anthony Warnes.

Artist Anthony Warnes has a talent for capturing light in his paintings.