Bio
Carol Readman is an established contemporary watercolour artist based in Auckland, New Zealand. Carol’s abstract watercolour art is most often painted after a walk around her local area, recalling her impressions of the scenery and activities. Her work is prized, in particular, for its contemporary style and the incredible depth and brightness of colour she is able to achieve, testifying to her skill and experience working with watercolours.
Women of my age have seen thousands of pictures so they have a greater interest in simplified, pleasing, and balanced arrangements of one's own ideas and outlooks. By referring to abstraction in painting, I think that my intention is to create the essence of the subject rather than to reproduce the pictorial aspects of what is presented. I personally prefer the work to take on a life of its own as it grows naturally from my memory, vision or perspective.
Carol is a self-taught artist who has been exhibiting her modern art for over 40 years. She studied at Christchurch Teachers College, Victoria University, and the University of Auckland. In her working life, she held positions in teaching, social work, personnel management, and industrial relations. As a painter, Carol feels an affinity to artists such as Doris Lusk, Austen Deans, Toss Woollaston, and Colin McCahon, among others. While travelling through Europe in her twenties, Carol discovered the French impressionists and was enamoured, in particular, by Manet. In London, she came across a large J. M. W. Turner painting at the National Gallery. It was this experience that encouraged her to explore atmosphere using watercolour, adding a unique delicacy to the fortitude of colour in her personal technique. Now retired, she is able to paint full time.
Colour, form, and linear relationships are important to me with a particular place, event or significant person suggested in the composition. "To thine own self be true" has remained a guiding principal and this allows some personal issues and occasional problems to be resolved as each painting develops. My best advice to an aspiring artist would be to follow your thoughts when it comes to painting.
Carol’s watercolour landscapes have been recognised by a number of regional and national awards, including the Pumphouse art awards in Takapuna and the (formerly) Telecom New Zealand Art Awards. She has also received first prizes at the Depot Art Awards in Devonport and the 2002 Royal Easter Show awards in Auckland (watercolour section). Her work is held in private collections nationally and internationally.
Carol’s abstract modern art paintings are available to purchase unframed, for easy transport, with a few pieces framed up so you can see what they look like in store. Art by the Sea offers a full framing service at an additional cost.