About Karen Piercy

I am a Kapiti Coast–based artist creating bold, layered paintings inspired by the colour, movement, and energy of my garden and coastal surroundings.

My work is rooted in abstraction, using vibrant colour, rhythmic mark-making, and texture to capture the sense of life and growth found in gardens and my natural surroundings. I work from a garden studio near Peka Peka beach, where the daily activity of birds and plant life continually feeds into my painting practice.

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 — Paekākāriki Art Show

• 2026 — Kapiti Tattoo & Arts Festival

Selected Past Exhibitions

• 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