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A passion for creating New Zealand art
After gaining a BCApS from Otago in Clothing, Textiles and Design, Kate’s working life led her elsewhere until she was in her late thirties and decided to follow her passion of painting – now Kate is creating stunning New Zealand inspired artworks. From a London art exhibition to setting up her own art studio and gallery space in Wellington, Aotearoa, NZ… this is Kate’s story.
Influenced by the environment
When people visit the Wairarapa region, they discover big skies, banks of towering clouds and dramatic windswept landscapes. Kate grew up here and many of her landscape paintings are influenced by a childhood of vast spaces, icy southerlies, gnarled trees, derelict buildings, and gritty coastlines like Cape Palliser.
Kate has always been fascinated with the stories behind the land, and draws inspiration for her work from this. The buildings that remain are testament to people succeeding (or failing) in those landscapes. Kate describes her paintings as “simplified realism. They’re based on the view I know. People see my paintings and feel a comforting recognition with that view. It might be of a different place, but they recognise the spirit of that landscape”.
Every year Kate takes a road trip somewhere in New Zealand and her back-road landscape paintings reflect these often out of the way destinations. There is always another story to be told.
Exhibition in London
In 2005, Kate packed her canvases and headed to London to exhibit her work alongside another New Zealand artist - Emma Wright. Paintings in the The Different Perspectives Show proved to be a great success. Being part of the London art scene, even for a brief moment, inspired Kate and on her return to New Zealand she opened her own working studio and gallery space.
‘Kate has a simple direct style that is utterly unique and will be instantly recognisable as her fame grows. Her rich use of colour leaps at you. This is the raw New Zealand that I have travelled and filmed in…. I will watch for her progress.’
Paddy Hughes - Film writer and director, and poet
Kate’s art classes and workshops
Kate shares her enthusiasm for painting by running art classes and events under the banner, Flying Paintbox Events. From working with small groups within her studio space, to running large corporate event workshops - her enthusiasm ensures that the acitivities are fun and challenging for all levels. Click here to find out more.
Visit Kate McLaren’s Gallery and Working Studio in Wellington
Kate’s sunny art studio and gallery space is located in the Te Aro suburb of Wellington at 311 Willis St.
Sign up and receive notice of the studio open days throughout the year or contact Kate directly to arrange a time to visit the studio.
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Join the mailing list
To ensure you know when Kate has new work for sale in any of her “back-road landscapes” or “urban views” series, join the Kate McLaren mailing list for regular email updates.
Guarantee of quality
Kate uses quality canvases and paints and to produce a works of exceptional quality and finish. The materials are chosen and worked to ensure that the produced art work will last.
Works are built up in layers of colours, in a technique that Kate has developed over many years. The result is a fresh distinctive style using a strong colour palette.
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