Creative spirit of Lonely Dog lingers in Queenstown property

The Queenstown home that inspired an artist to create a character and fantasy world that now has an international fan-base, a world-wide publishing deal, highly-coveted books, bronze sculptures plus a movie deal with Warner Bros - is on the market.

Lonely Dog is a fairytale character for grownups that evolved out of the bedtime stories that artist Ivan Clarke dreamed up about the family Daschund for his kids.

The former Auckland-based commercial artist pursued his dream of becoming a landscape artist when he moved his family to Queenstown nearly 20 years ago. Then, when his sketches and paintings of the whimsical Lonely Dog began to capture the imagination of visitors to his gallery, it became clear that this was something far larger than Mr Clarke – or the business partners and other creative heads that he brought on board – could ever have believed.

Alveridgea – the fantasy world where Lonely Dog resides – is now a fully-fledged realm that is encapsulated in the Almalogue - a limited edition handmade, leather-bound book – some selling for over $60,000. Now, with Lonely Dog bronze sculptures from Weta-workshop’s Richard Taylor, movie development already underway with Warner Bros, and talk of franchising along Harry Potter lines, Mr Clarke admits that the whole deal ‘doesn’t seem real’.

“From Queenstown to Hollywood? Amazing...”

But Mr Clarke says just as the Lonely Dog story continues to grow and develop, he too is embracing change with a heart-felt decision made to sell the family home with all its associated memories and a permanent move to another Queenstown property that they have owned for some years.
The property up for sale in Malaghans Road has arguably the best site beneath Coronet Peak – what Mr Clarke refers to as ‘a central grandstand front row seat’ where, on a clear day you can see how occupied the ski lifts are with the naked eye.

“We’re a family of skiers so that’s been great – timing is everything so we can suss out how busy the mountain is before leaving the house.”

“Under the Queenstown Lakes District Plan, this property is in an area zoned ‘outstanding natural landscape’ and certainly, we do get the sense that it is something very special. It feels like the old rural Wakatipu here, being surrounded by a large working sheep station that will stay that way. That’s getting harder to find in Queenstown nowadays.”

The large North-facing home sits well to the sun and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, generous living spaces along with the former art gallery with high-vaulted ceiling plus studio workshop and its own dedicated entrance keeping home and work life comfortably apart.

Marketed by Albert Voschezang of Bayleys Queenstown, this property stands out in the market for its location first and foremost and the flexibility of options with work-from-home possibilities enhanced by the way it is configured.

“The former gallery lends itself to multiple uses like music, or the arts, or a professional working space and any number of other interests. Not everyone jumps in a car and heads off to work every day and with ample storage here coupled with the benefits that technology now gives people who work remotely, it’s a great option,” says Mr Voschezang.

“The central location in the heart of the Wakatipu basin and easy proximity to ski-fields and all the other recreational activities that Queenstown is known for just makes this property even more sought-after and the Lonely Dog connection is certainly novel! It’s pretty special to know that this location has sparked such a unique artistic character.”

Mr Clarke also reckons a classic car enthusiast with rural aspirations could be keen on the property’s three-vehicle garaging – especially given that they can live the country dream with all the benefits of clean sealed roads and an easy commute to Queenstown itself.

Whilst the decision to move has been an emotional wrench for Mr Clarke and his wife, Kerry, they have faced up to the empty-nest demons that came when their children left home and know that their newly-built place with lake access surrounded by conservation land is every bit the creative environment that Malaghans Road is.

“I am continuing to paint and the creative spirit is still flowing – but who knows what was in the water at the old house and gallery – something special?” ponders Mr Clarke.

“I used to work in my slippers, surrounded by snow on the mountains listening to Vivaldi – that’s the ultimate lifestyle on a winter’s day. It may also inspire someone else to follow their heart.”