Carol Readman

Carol Readman is an established contemporary watercolour artist based in Auckland, New Zealand. Working primarily in abstraction, she creates paintings that distil the essence of a place, memory, or experience rather than providing a literal representation of what she sees. Many of her works begin with impressions gathered during walks through familiar environments, evolving into compositions rich in colour, movement, and atmosphere.

Known for her confident handling of watercolour, Carol has developed a distinctive style characterised by luminous colour, balanced composition, and expressive mark-making. Her paintings often suggest landscapes, human connections, or significant moments, while leaving space for viewers to bring their own interpretations. She is particularly interested in the relationships between colour, form, and line, allowing each work to emerge intuitively through the painting process.

A self-taught artist, Carol has been exhibiting for more than four decades. She studied at Christchurch Teachers' College, Victoria University, and the University of Auckland before pursuing careers in teaching, social work, personnel management, and industrial relations. Throughout her artistic journey, she has drawn inspiration from notable New Zealand painters including Doris Lusk, Austen Deans, Toss Woollaston, and Colin McCahon. Travels through Europe in her twenties introduced her to the French Impressionists, while an encounter with the work of J. M. W. Turner in London left a lasting impression, encouraging her exploration of atmosphere and light through watercolour.

Reflecting on her approach, Carol explains that her aim is "to create the essence of the subject rather than reproduce its pictorial aspects". She values authenticity and intuition in her practice, allowing paintings to develop naturally from memory, observation, and personal perspective. This philosophy has guided her throughout her career and continues to shape the evolution of her work.

Carol's achievements have been recognised through numerous regional and national awards. Her accolades include honours at the Pumphouse Art Awards in Takapuna, the former Telecom New Zealand Art Awards, first prizes at the Depot Art Awards in Devonport, and the watercolour section of the 2002 Royal Easter Show Art Awards in Auckland. Today, painting full time, she continues to create works that resonate with collectors both in New Zealand and overseas, and her paintings are held in private collections around the world.