About Karen Piercy

I am a full-time artist based in Peka Peka on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand, where I work from my garden studio creating paintings inspired by gardens, nature, birds and personal stories.

My vibrant acrylic works are influenced by years spent developing Trinity Farm — a 10-acre property with an English-style garden and heritage rose nursery. Through colour, layered marks and recurring abstract symbols, I explore the feeling of moving through garden spaces, pathways, steps, flowers, birds and moments of connection.

Many works contain personal symbolism inspired by the stories people share about the places and objects they love — favourite flowers, birds representing family, meaningful words and shared rituals.

Alongside these works, my oil and cold wax paintings take a quieter, more atmospheric direction inspired by observing nature on Kapiti Coast walks. Built through multiple layers using scraping and texture to create and reveal history, these paintings explore memory, observation and the gradual emergence of recognisable forms from richly worked surfaces.

Education & Training

• 2024–2025 — Draw Awesome, Phil Davies (UK)

• 2024 — Oil & Cold Wax Workshop, Janet Mazenier (Nelson, NZ)

• 2024 — Oil & Cold Wax Workshop, Anna Layzell (Whanganui, NZ)

• 2023 — Oil & Cold Wax Workshop, Janet Mazenier (Nelson, NZ)

• 2023 — Next Level Oil & Cold Wax Workshop, Jerry McLaughlin (USA)

• 2021 — Oil & Cold Wax Workshop, Anna Layzell (Wellington, NZ)

• 2020 — Abstract Workshop, Jane Kellahan (Wanaka, NZ)

• 2018 — Simply Oils, Norfolk Painting School (UK)

• 1999–2000 — The Learning Connexion (Wellington, NZ)

Exhibitions

Upcoming

• 2026 Manawatu Art Expo

• 2026 Kapiti Arts Trail

Selected Past Exhibitions

• 2026 — Paekākāriki Art Show

• 2026 — Kapiti Tattoo & Arts Festival

• 2025 — Kapiti Arts Trail

• 2025 — Manawatū Art Expo

• 2025 — Paekākāriki Art Show

• 2024 — Paekākāriki Art Show

• 2023 — Paekākāriki Art Show

• 2022 — Summer Exhibition,
  New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

• 2022 — Art To Go Exhibition,
  New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

• 2021 — Spring Exhibition,
  New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

Memberships

• Member, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

• Member, Feilding Art Society

Representation

Represented by Artel Gallery, Waikanae
📍 6 Mahara Place, Waikanae
🌐 artelgallery.net
✉️ artelnz@gmail.com
📞 +64 21 192 2110