They’re not the typically big, gnarly, calloused hands of a man of the land.

“No. They’re small.”

Not farmers’ hands, but are farmer’s hands – because they belong to Peter Hodge who runs 215 acres of sheep and cattle, appropriately on Hereford Rd in Oropi, looking out to the Ohauiti foothills.

“Small hands but very good for calving cows.”

And small but hard. “I can use a shovel and things without getting blisters.”

They’re also the hands of a creative – they’re very good for composing and making music, and painting landscapes. And while other farmers would build themselves sheds to potter and tinker with engines and machinery and other farm stuff, four sheds were evolving on Peter’s property, four genteel, flash ones.

“I am a bit different, always have been,” said Hodge.

Panoramic rolling hill views are his inspiration and his ‘normal.’ Farmer and artist Peter Hodge on his Oropi farm. Photo / David Hall

The Green Room is for his wife’s business interests, one as a guest suite, the third a music suite where the farmer composes, plays and records his own music; the fourth an art studio.

And that’s where Hodge will hold his first exhibition, 36 paintings are for sale in the Small Hall as it’s known, on the family farm at 299 Hereford Rd, well-known this weekend. Viewing is 2pm tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, followed by an auction at 4.30pm.

Farming is art

“It’s important to have original art on your walls – whether a child’s first efforts or that of a well-known artist,” said the novice exhibitor.

“It brightens homes, reminds of places and moments, and brings meaning to our lives.”

But art and farming – aren’t they a little incongruous?

Hodge snorts at the suggestion.

“Farming is art, as opposed to an occupation. We spend our lives shaping our surroundings to what we want them to be. There’s passion with whatever we’re doing. Fills us with a sense of purpose and joy.”

And what gives this farmer lashings of purpose and joy is gazing from those salvaged church hall windows in his studio to the rolling Ohauiti Range – seeing it in all its moods and then committing “that moment” to canvas immediately. No spending days referencing a photograph.

“Used to be called Mt Misery because it was hard to farm and on a miserable day it was no fun being up there.”

But not on a sunny autumnal day like today, and not in any of his paintings of the range.

Chocolate cake

“When someone remarked on our stunning view, I told them it was our normal, We gazed on it every day.”

But then worried he wasn’t appreciating what others were seeing, Hodge took the brushes and started painting, to get a deeper understanding of his surrounds.

But the same hills, the same range, the same subject in every painting – isn’t that like a baker who only makes chocolate cake? He responds to the simile with another.

“But all the chocolate cakes are quite different. The same form but different times of day and year, different light and shadow, different mood. All very different.”

And at the same time experimenting with styles – minimalism, impressionism, pointillism and triangles, his take on cubism.

“The enjoyment is being in the zone. The creative force, or the spirit of creating, is being totally absorbed in what you are doing at that moment, when nothing else matters.”

The Ohauiti Hill range in one of its moods and captured by farmer artist Peter Hodge. Photo / David Hall

Whatever inspired

Does the farmer want to be recognised as an artist or vice versa?

“I want to be recognised as someone who cares about, and for, the land, whether it be through farming or art or both, or talking to people, or visitors.”

When the farmer lays down his paintbrushes he might pick up his guitar, play the drumkit or the keyboards, or dabble with composing.

“Old cars and engines were never my thing; I was always art and music, and my farmer parents always allowed that to happen, never criticised.”

Of course, they always wanted little Hodge to take over the farm one day.

“Oh yeah, you didn’t not get that. They just allowed me to do whatever inspired me.”

As for the auction, the bidding will start at the cost of materials and those attending will determine the true value.

“I just want to see them on someone’s wall and not in my studio.”

Paintings can be viewed on YouTube - search ‘Peter Hodge Art Auction 29 3 25’. Or contact him via email: peter@bravo-bravo.com or phone 0223574234.