'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication' - Leonardo Da Vinci
“When we let go of who we think we are is when we are truly free” - Claire-Erica
Open Studio!
10 Days from 30th January to the 8th February
Once a year, I open my studio doors.
Over the past twelve months, this space has held everything — uncertainty, hope, energy, and renewal. From that has come an entirely new body of work.
During the Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail (30 January – 8 February), my studio will be filled with large statement paintings for feature walls, along with the new series, Blossoms of a New Chapter — joyful, uplifting works created to bring light and optimism into a space.
For ten days only, you’re invited to experience the work in person, meet me in the studio, and acquire an original piece directly from where it was created.
I’m Venue 8 on the trail, which spans 33 studios from Puhoi to Leigh.
This is the only time this body of work will be shown together. Once pieces leave the studio, they’re gone.
Shop Originals
Using the finest cottons and linens, brushes and lightfast pigments available Claire-Erica’s work is of exceptional quality. Her philosophy when choosing materials is - only the very best will do.
Welcome —a curated space where expression meets intention. Here, you’ll discover a collection of large statement pieces that invite you to pause, feel, and engage. From the delicate precision of her Pencil to Paint series to the bold, emotive gestures found in ink, charcoal, and pastel works, each piece reflects a dedication to exploring the full potential of artistic mediums. For Claire, being an artist means more than creating—it means pushing boundaries, challenging form, and allowing each material to speak its own truth. Only the highest-quality archival materials are used, ensuring that every piece is crafted with lasting integrity. Each work stands as a conversation between discipline and discovery, offering a glimpse into the evolving dialogue between artist and medium.
Many layers of transparent colour and interference pigment are applied to achieve the play of light on her work. The seemingly effortlessness of Claires artistry holds a lifetime of dedication, frustration and determination, without which such excellence would not be possible. The fresh colour, vibrancy and innovative quality of her work testifies to her continuing process and natural ability.
The Pencil and Paint Series showcases works that blend the subtle precision of graphite with the richness of paint. By combining these mediums, the subjects are rendered with striking clarity and depth, allowing them to stand out boldly. Traditionally reserved for paper, graphite here is elevated through the use of modern archival materials, enabling Claire to push creative boundaries. The result is a collection of distinctive and compelling pieces that reflect her signature attention to detail and artistic sensibility—capturing the intricate beauty of each subject, as she is so well known for.
Blossoms of a New Chapter!
The artist, after a lifetime devoted to the exploration of artistic expression, now draws upon the full spectrum of mediums at her fingertips—each one mastered through years of experimentation, discipline, and bold curiosity. Her work is the culmination of a relentless pursuit to push the boundaries of what each material can convey, from the subtle precision of graphite to the bold immediacy of ink, the soft unpredictability of pastel, and the layered depth of paint. Every piece she creates is a testament to both technical refinement and creative risk, resulting in artworks that are not only visually captivating but rich in detail, texture, and meaning. Her practice is one of fearless inquiry, where mediums are not just tools, but collaborators in a dialogue that continues to evolve with each new work.
Drawing Classes
Drawing is the foundation of skilled painting, the quiet discipline that gives structure, confidence, and truth to every brushstroke. It trains the eye to truly see—understanding proportion, balance, light, and form before colour ever enters the conversation. Through drawing, an artist learns how shapes relate, how lines carry movement and emotion, and how space is constructed on the surface. When this knowledge is internalised, painting becomes freer and more expressive, guided by understanding rather than guesswork. Strong drawing allows colour to sing with purpose, depth to feel believable, and composition to hold together with clarity, making it an essential pillar of mastery in the painter’s craft.
