artist, designer, teacher

Would you like to buy some great New Zealand art for your home? I have paintings in galleries and in exhibitions and plenty of stock both framed and unframed. I also take on commissions, so it you have a special scene you would like me to record, or require a present for a friend or family, please contact me to discuss.

Check out my Exhibitions, Watercolours and Teaching pages. Contact me for prices and delivery.

Selfie in burnt sienna by Charlotte Hird

Making art is my daily flow – to eat, breathe and paint. Watercolour is my gig and the pursuit of clear transparent even washes, that glow with a crisp freshness that no other medium can achieve. My take on the world is contemporary realism with a stark graphic quality. I find inspiration from all parts of my life and in the beauty of nature. I have a body of work reflecting the shapes of natures landforms with dark brooding valleys and clean ridges that glow in the light. Last year over 70 of my paintings found new homes. My husband builds my frames from quality materials and my exhibitions have clear presence and unity. The life of an artist takes me to many places both in my mind and on this earth. The pleasure gained from teaching and the satisfaction of completion in a work can make the journey complete. After 40 years as a graphic artist this life of making art to sustain myself is gratifying.

I  love painting watercolours and teaching others to paint watercolour. Capturing the magic of light and colour in the medium is challenging and satisfying. Every stroke of the brush is exciting, every drop of water brings unexpected surprises. There is beauty everywhere I look, in the light on the planes of the face or dancing light on the surface of the water. My approach is contemporary realist, but if you look closely you can see how stylised and graphic my work has become.

In 2018 I worked as an architectural drawing teacher in a Themed Environment Design degree course in Wuhan China for 18 months however on returning to NZ, after 40 year career as a Graphic Designer, I became a full time artist. I am President of the Wellington Art Club, committee member of Watercolour New Zealand and Elected member of the The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. I enjoy the community of working alongside other artists and sharing knowledge and techniques. I attend life drawing classes, portrait classes, artist workshops and plein air group events all over New Zealand.

I am teaching Watercolour Basics and advanced workshops, Plein air painting, portrait painting, and how to keep urban chickens. Check out the teaching page for 2023 teaching dates and venues.

I continue to experiment with different techniques and materials and am never short of inspiration. I am always thinking about how to mix a colour and how to compose a scene. It really is a great way to spend my time and brings peace of mind and contentment.

I exhibit my work at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Mitchell Studios and Kiwi Art House in Wellington.