Karen Piercy, born in Cheltenham, England, currently resides on the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand. Her paintings and drawings are distinguished by their vibrant colour palette, intricate layering, and rich texture.

Central to Karen’s artistic practice is her exploration of abstract themes influenced by her natural surroundings. She lives near Peka Peka beach with views of the sea and Kapiti Island. Her art studio is set into a courtyard surrounded by a lush garden that attracts birds. These visual cues are helping Karen develop a unique language of marks that are becoming a signature of her work.

In 2025 Karen has been exploring realism through studying different drawing mediums. She has started combining these freshly honed skills with her abstract works.

Karen lives with two dogs Ruby, the Border Terrier and Harley, a Brussels Griffon. Friends have recently inspired her to draw their dogs in pen and watercolour. She has particularly enjoyed capturing the soulful, expressive eyes of greyhounds as well as their funny poses and antics which every greyhound owner recognises. This has developed into a Kapiti Pet Portrait Project where over 20 pet portraits were completed for display during the Kapiti Arts Trail 2025.

Education/training:

2024-2025: Draw Awesome with Phil Davies, UK
2024: Oil and cold wax workshop with Janet Mazenier, Nelson, New Zealand
2024: Oil and cold wax workshop with Anna Layzell, Wanganui, New Zealand
2023: Oil and cold wax workshop with Janet Mazenier, Nelson, New Zealand
2023: Next Level Workshop Oil and Cold Wax with Jerry McLaughlin, USA
2021: Oil and Cold Wax Workshop with Anna Layzell, Wellington, New Zealand
2020: Abstract Workshop with Jane Kellahan, Wanaka, New Zealand
2018: Simply Oils course, Norfolk Painting School, Tattersett, Norfolk, England
1999-2000: The Learning Connexion, Wellington, New Zealand

Memberships

Member of New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
Member of Feilding Art Society

Upcoming exhibitions:

2026 Paekakariki Art Show
2026 Kapiti Tattoo and Arts Festival

Past exhibitions:

2025 Kapiti Arts Trail
2025 Manawatu Art Expo
2025 Paekakariki Art Show
2024 Paekakariki Art Show, Kapiti, New Zealand
2023 Paekakariki Art Show, Kapiti, New Zealand
2022 Summer Exhibition, NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington, New Zealand
2022 Art to Go Exhibition, NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington, New Zealand
2021 Spring Exhibition, NZ Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington, New Zealand

Represented by:

Artel Gallery, 6 Mahara Place, Waikanae, New Zealand
Artelgallery.net  artelnz@gmail.com +64 21 192 2110