I am a full-time artist and writer living in New Plymouth, New Zealand. I have worked professionally in the visual arts for over twenty-five years, including two years as the inaugural director of the Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville.
My rich tapestry of experience as business owner, arts administrator, art tutor, author, potter, painter and illustrator has woven together my passions to become the full-time contemporary fine artist, writer and creative mentor I am today.
As an art tutor I focus mainly on realism and teaching my students how to SEE - this foundation of artistic knowledge can transform your creative endeavours as well as giving you tools to view the world in a whole new way!
As a largely self-taught painter, I am able to explain technical methods and aesthetic concepts in a down-to-earth and enthusiastic manner that is both accessible and memorable (in-person and online). Each of my on-demand video courses is a rare "lifting of the curtain" real-time experience: removing the mystery from the artist's painting process and giving viewers the tools to mix colours effectively, problem solve, and gain confidence with artistic decision-making.
Having developed a "very keen eye for detail" I can offer guidance to the highest level of technical ability, coaching artists at any level of experience. If you need a new perspective or creative encouragement to assist your evolution to the next level, do get in touch to find out about private tuition.
As a contemporary fine artist I unapologetically explore the medium of acrylic paint in any direction my heart takes me, from realistic portraiture to cartooning to abstract expressionism... and beyond. My painting is always autobiographical, and evolves as fast as I do.
As an author, I tell the honest story of my personal growth and professional development, as seen through my paintings. Having found the courage to be honest with myself and to take responsibility for my own path, I was able to completely alter the trajectory of my life. By incorporating the science of seeing and techniques I use to teach art, I developed a 'bigger picture awareness' which positively transformed the way I was able to think, react, and interact.
I have written about this personal transformation in my book 'Seeing Clearly' and offer private conversation and floor talks - adapted from my extensive experience over the past 25 years as an arts professional in the UK and New Zealand.
By understanding the science of perception and “changing the way I see” in both a physical and emotional sense, I learnt how to: improve self-leadership skills, reduce conflict, enhance my personal communication and problem-solving capabilities, and discover how to interpret my reactions and express myself more positively with a “bigger picture” awareness.
My work is held in private collections all over the world, including
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the UK
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Ireland
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Australia
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New Zealand
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Canada
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USA
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Brazil
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Holland
ART: COMPETITIONS
2023 Taranaki Art Awards - Opunake
2022 Taranaki Art Awards - Opunake
2022 JUDGE - Tasman National Art Awards
2022 Franklin Arts Festival - 'Light' section - Auckland
2022 Aspiring Art Prize - Wanaka
2021 Taranaki Art Awards - Opunake (cancelled due to Covid)
2019 Taranaki Art Awards - Opunake
2018 Finalist – Adam Portraiture Award (Wellington, NZ)
2018 Taranaki Art Awards - Opunake
2016 Finalist - Adam Portraiture Award (Wellington, NZ) including touring exhibition
2016 Special Recognition category - All Women Art Exhibition - Light, Space & Time Online Art Gallery for ‘Emerging, into the Light’ (2015)
2013 Winner - People’s Choice Award - best exhibition - Art Trail, Morrinsville Art Festival
2013 Runner Up - ‘Arts for Health’ competition - David Lloyd Gallery, Hamilton
ART: EXHIBITIONS
(including open studio exhibitions and group shows)
2023 Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville - solo show - returning to the source
2022 Gallery9 - Hamilton
2022 The Suter Gallery, Nelson - Guest Artist - Nelson Suter Art Society Autumn Exhibition
2021 'Utopia found' - solo show - New Plymouth
2019 Koru on Devon/Tasman Toyota - group show
2019 Taranaki Arts Trail - open studio
2019 SOLO 46 at New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington
2018 Koru on Devon - group show - New Plymouth
2018 Art Cafe - solo show - New Plymouth
2018 The Collaboration - group show - New Plymouth
2018 SOLO 44 at New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington
2018 Adam Portraiture Award, Wellington
2018 Taranaki Arts Trail - open studio
2018 ‘What Matters Most’ – solo exhibition – Bread & Butter Gallery, Whitianga
2017 ‘As the Path Unfolds’ – solo exhibition – Bread & Butter Gallery, Whitianga
2017 Molloy Gallery
2017 20-year anniversary exhibition of ‘Virtual Tart’ (Taranaki Art) group, New Plymouth
2017 ‘Retrospective’ – solo exhibition – Whitianga Art Centre
2017 open studio exhibition – Mercury Bay Art Escape
2016 Adam Portraiture Award, Wellington
2016 open studio exhibition - Mercury Bay Art Escape
2015 open studio exhibition - Mercury Bay Art Escape
2015 Thames Road Trip - solo exhibition - GBD hotel and restaurant, Thames
2014 ‘Wandering Under Big Skies’ – shared exhibition
with Jennie de Groot - Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville
2014 The Art Sale, Hamilton
2014 Big Skies - solo exhibition - Colenso Café, Whenuakite
2013 ‘Big Skies… and Deep Roots’ - solo exhibition - David Lloyd Gallery, Hamilton
SUMMARY of WORK
2014 - present
full time artist, art tutor and speaker- including solo exhibitions, public talks, illustration, private commissions, and large scale murals
2013 - present
drawing and painting tutor - private classes and workshops
2012 - 2014
Administrator - Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust
2010 - 2012
Director - Wallace Gallery, Morrinsville
2006 - 2009
Sales and Marketing Manager - Carrie Elspeth Jewellery (UK)
1997 - 2007
Owner, Operator and Maker - Bouncing Pig Pottery (UK)
1994 - 1997 BA (Hons) Ceramics - UWIC (Cardiff, UK)
PUBLIC MURALS
2015 3 murals at St. Andrew’s Village, Braid Road, Hamilton
2015 Blue Water Marine, Bryce St, Whitianga 17 x 4m
2015 Rugby & Sports Club, Whitianga 7.5 x 1.2m
BOOKS & ILLUSTRATION
2022 Seeing Clearly - Finding the Courage to Choose a Better Path.
Written and published by Charlotte Giblin, featuring over 250 artworks from the last 30 years of creative ( and emotional!) development.
2016 Wandering Under Big Skies - The Coromandel Peninsula Through the Eyes of an Artist.
Written by Charlotte Giblin with 90 original paintings featured.
2016 Lulu Moo and the Mystery of the Big Belly
written and illustrated by Charlotte Giblin and Wendy Walls. Aries Publishing
2014 Where is Autism?
Written by Rowena Monds and illustrated by Charlotte Giblin. Aries Publishing
2013 - 2015 regular ‘Road Trip’ feature in Coromandel Life magazine - original paintings of the Coromandel Peninsula, accompanied by stories about my travels