A photograph taken for a theatre preview more than four decades ago has been given a new lease on life — this time in paint.

The image, originally captured by photographer Ross Brown for the Bay of Plenty Times in the 1980s, has been transformed into a large-scale artwork by artist Susanne Harrison-Tustain.

It was commissioned by an elderly Te Puke resident and will be permanently displayed at the Te Puke RSA.

“I wanted to create something that makes the viewer feel something, to have an experience and feel as if they are there,” Harrison-Tustain said.

She said the 2m x 1.4m painting took 12 months to finish.

“I imagined it would take eight months. It took a lot more, and I was painting night and day because I became so lost in the piece that I was oblivious to time.”

The original photograph was taken in February 1981 as part of the Te Puke Centennial Celebrations.

A four-horse stagecoach re-enacted a historic country mail and passenger service, retracing the route from Te Puke to Ōtamarākau via Paengaroa.

“I wanted the viewer to feel as if they could hear the sounds of the hoofs and the momentum and that great energy as they’re coming forward,” Harrison-Tustain said.

The 2m x 1.4m painting took 12 months to finish.

“I want the viewer to feel as if those horses are going to actually come out of that painting and step into the room any moment.”

The image was in a sepia tone, which Harrison-Tustain “really loved” because she said it kept within the timelessness of that era.

“I knew straight away it needed to remain in sepia. There is a little bit of artistic licence, and there are so many different sepias, so I used a lot of colours to make the right sepia.”

Harrison-Tustain said the painting process was more “demanding” than she thought it would be.

“Sepia paintings and photography rely on very subtle tonal value shifts, and that’s sort of between light and dark, so it was challenging and very time-consuming.”

She hoped the painting would draw people in.

“It’s about being able to create something that represents life in those times and it allows other people to almost experience the feeling of that being the reality.

Artist Susan Harrison-Tustain said the painting process was more demanding than she thought it would be.

“I feel it’s everything I wanted and more.”

Ross Brown, who took the original image, was the Bay of Plenty Times chief photographer from November 1970 to November 2001.

Brown said at the time it was “just another job” but knew he had captured “something special”.

“It was front page, but it turned out to be hugely popular, we sold hundreds of prints.”

He said the prints were sepia-toned and a photo artist removed power poles in the background, something that was “quite a feat” before digital editing.

“When I heard that Susan was commissioned to create an artwork from the photo, I was really honoured.”

Brown said the painting had taken on a new life and thought it was “fantastic” this piece of history would be shared.

The original photograph was taken in February 1981 captured by Ross Brown for the Bay of Plenty Times. Photo / Ross Brown

“My role was just to preserve that moment in history and now, as a painting, I hope it will be enjoyed and celebrated for years to come.”

Te Puke local Harold Beaufill commissioned the historical painting, which he will donate to the Te Puke Citizens RSA.

His decision to commission the painting was driven by his respect for the region’s pioneers and soldiers, as well as an admiration for horses and their roles in wartime and rural life.

He hoped the artwork would honour those depicted and provide a lasting connection for future generations visiting the RSA.

The painting will be unveiled at a ceremony at 2pm on April 12.

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.