Charlotte Hird

Committee Member & Newsletter Editor

Charlotte Hird finds inspiration from all over the world and in the beauty of nature.

I try to find time to paint everyday and love the process of making art. My love affair with watercolour endures. I find myself deeply involved in painting landforms, exploring the naked form through colour and light. There is a sadness to these naked flanks now laid bare. Once they were clothed in forest and inhabited by creatures big and small.

Watercolour painting is her favourite medium and she loves the way the water and paint move and change on the paper to create magic. Capturing the magic of light and colour in a painting is challenging and satisfying. Every stroke of the brush is exciting. Every drop of water brings unexpected surprises. There is beauty to capture everywhere you look, in the light on the planes of the face or dancing on the water.

I continue to experiement with different techniques and materials and am never short of inspiration. I am always thinking about how to mix a colour in nature and how to compose a scene. It really is a great way to spend my time and brings such joy.

Charlotte works full time as an artist and teacher of watercolour The freedom to follow my instinct and paint the things that inspire and intrigue me. I am constantly learning and improving my technique and find teaching forces me to slow down and investigate how the process works, so I can explain to my students.

I am involved with many artists and events by serving on the committee of Watercolour New Zealand and as President of the Wellington Art Club .

I teach watercolour technique and weekend workshops at Inverlochy Art School in Wellington, Wellington High Continuing Educations Centre, at Wellington Art Club and for Watercolour New Zealand.

Paintings featured in the mini-gallery:

• "Otaru houses"
• "Aoraki Landform"
• " Poppies"
• "Two old chooks"
• "Arum lilies"
• "The young Queen"