b'left: Liam painted a partial portraitReseneof a chimps face (far left) using aVesuviusselection of Resene testpots during the final round of an Art Battle event in Christchurch under tight time constraints. He later painted The Thinker (left), part of his Beholder series, in his studio using Resene testpots, including Resene Black, Resene Alabaster and Resene Vesuvius.Resene ReseneAlabaster BlackLiam says that the audience plays a huge role in making each event electrifying. I love that Art Battle brings together 12 very different and diverse artists under one roofwhich is truly inspiringand that the audience decides who wins, says Liam. Plus, theres upbeat music, food and drinks. The artists dont spend a cent, while all their work goes up for sale at the end of the night. Its a fun and magnetic platform. Pure magic!Sincethefirsteventwassponsoredby Resene,thecompetitionalsoopenedLiams eyes to using Resene testpots for his artwork. InowregularlyuseResenepaintsformy expressiveworksasitdriesquicklyandI celebrate the drips! I was inspired to use Resene testpotstocreatemyBeholderartseriesof chimpsfollowingmywinningpieceatthe Christchurch Art Battle.Now that Auckland Art Battles are in full swing, Resene has stayed on as a primary sponsor of the events. We literally could not have done thiswithoutResene,whohavebeensuper got swept up in the excitement of competing in abefore I knew it, my wife and I were flying backexperiences for artists in our community. It wassupportive from the outset, says Liam. The charity Art Battle that took place in Christchurch,to Christchurch, he recalls. a great platform to connect with like-mindedResene team are true advocates of New Zealand artistLiamDownesknewitwassomethingheIn the 20 minutes allotted during the firstsouls and it brought with it a new audience andand Australian art and artists, both emerging and wanted to see happen on a regular basis. round, Liam painted a half portrait of his wifememories. Art Battle resonated with my pastestablished. The Resene Art Station has become a Afterpresentinghisworkatsomeofout of worry that completing it would requireandpresentexperiencesasagalleryownerfixture of the Art Battle experience for visitors and thebiggestartshowsaroundNewZealand,twicethetime.Iwasexcitedtobevotedon Waiheke Island, painting live as the artist inResene testpots are fundamental materials for the includingNZArtShow,AucklandArtShowthrough to the final round, where I painted halfresidence at Eden Park, at my own open studioscompeting artists. Resene even supplies our artists and Art In The Park, Liam was approached ata chimp. For comedic effect, I called it Evolutionwith a shared canvas for the kidsincludingwith a voucher before the shows so that they the Christchurch Art Show with an invitationof Wife. The live auction at the end was a thrill,big kidsand countless other excuses overcan test out their colours with Resene testpots, to compete at a one-off Art Battle event. Idwhere 50% of the proceeds went to support Justthe years where Ive been able to paint with anstock up on supplies and arrive at the event well never heard of Art Battle, but it sounded like aPeoples. Upon returning to Auckland, it struckaudience. Each allowed me to genuinely connectprepared and battle ready! Resene helps us to bit of fun to me! One thing led to another, andme that there are not enough fun and immersivewith art lovers in the moment, he says. inspire creativity and embrace community.44 blackwhitemag.com'