There's a view of the harbour at Tanners Point boat ramp – even when you look inland.

Waihi Beach artist Shane Walker used his talents to paint a mural on the wall of the reserve's toilet building.

Loo with a view – on its wall – painted by Waihi Beach artist Shane Walker.

The art work depicts the view which would have been enjoyed by its earliest of settlers from the small Tanners Point Beach and includes sea and land birds of the area.

That's more than appropriate because Shane says he's never heard so much bird song as when he was been working on the mural.

'I've worked in the bush in the past but I've certainly never heard so many tui as you can hear at Tanners Point.”

Commissioned by the Tanners Point Ratepayers Association, the work is funded by the association and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. It was inspired by a desire among ratepayers association members to give a fresh new look to the un-inspiring concrete water tank which forms the toilet block.

A competition to design a mural was organised and Shane was awarded the commission based on his submission and his artistic track record which includes painting murals on the walls of a toilet block at Waihi Beach, the Beaches Motel and the Dave Hume Pool in Katikati.

Last year, Shane won the New Zealand Mural and Arts Festival's top award with a stunning mural depicting the country's unique wildlife and landscapes.

It was the first time he had entered the Katikati Open Air Art-organised event and his mural also took out the ‘people's choice' award.

Before work began, at Tanners Point, locals Mike Howell and Bernie Wills painted the toilet block preparing a blank canvas for Shane's art.

Painting a landscape on the curved structure isn't too much of challenge, says Shane, but the stucco textured finish on the wall is. 'It makes it hard to get lines right and fill in the finer details.”

At 27, Shane is a full-time artist, something he admits is not financially easy, but he's committed to do what he loves best.

Among his latest works is a mural for the popular designer clothing boutique ‘Shipshape' at Waihi Beach where Shane will be holding an exhibition of his work at Labour Weekend.

Shane paints landscapes as they would have been with no human interference, as well as and a few portraits.

'I like to touch up on all of my skills and do a bit of everything,” he explains. 'I've always been interested in colour and creating artworks since I was a kid.

'It's just something I've stuck with throughout my years and I can't really explain why.”

To find out more about Shane's work go to www.facebook.com/shanewalkerart/