"...even just listening to the birds and the sounds of nature that has to offer. That feeling of  being grounded and being in that present moment."

Tell us about your journey in becoming an artist, how have you gotten to where you are now? 

For me, I always wanted to be an artist. Growing up my mum always encouraged me to be as creative as I wanted and she often would take me to art classes up at Lopdell house in Titirangi.

I struggled with dyslexia throughout my schooling, so being creative was my way of expressing myself and learning how to deal with that. When I’m painting, I get lost within my work and become free. All my self-doubts are gone and I feel fully at peace.

I remember painting one day and at the time I was working a 9 to 5 job where I was unhappy; I had this sudden epiphany, I said to myself “what am I doing with my life, why am I not out there doing what I truly love?”

From then on I quit my job and went to study fine arts at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design and I don’t ever regret that decision, it was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. 

We get the feeling that nature might be an influence on your art. Where or who do you draw inspiration from?

Yes very much, I work best with my surroundings. My surroundings are a big inspiration, from the colours, textures, movements and even sound. Living out in the Waitakere Ranges was a big part of where my inspiration came from.  

I would be constantly surrounded by this insane lush native bush right in my backyard. I couldn’t not paint it, I had the opportunity to share my own interpretation of what I saw through my eyes. I wanted the viewer to get lost within the paintings and feel as if they had stepped into another world or share that same feeling as I did painting it.

 

You’re a woman with many different hats, an artist; model, – how do you find balance in your day to day life? 

It definitely comes with practice, I think balance is very important. I do constantly have a very busy schedule running to castings, shoots, while having a painting half finished and working.

I find that being present is important, I walk everyday which is my meditation in a way, and I find myself walking around nature listening to music or even just listening to the birds and the sounds of nature that has to offer.

That feeling of  being grounded and being in that present moment. I love that feeling so much and that to me is my balance between working and painting. I would feel so lost if I didn’t have that. 

Travel is looking a little different for many at the moment… can you tell us about some of your favourite places to travel to within New Zealand?

We are so incredibly lucky and fortunate that we live in such a special place to call home, where everything is so close and we’re really spoilt for choice. I would have to say that the

West Coast beaches Piha, Muriwai and Bethells has to be one of my favourite spots. It has this unique powerful energy to it. Its wild and raw landscape holds so much beauty and history. How can you not love it out there.

I do also love this beach down in the Coromandel called Onemana, with its white sand and crystal clear water you can’t get enough of it. It’s definitely another beautiful gem that New Zealand has to offer. 

 

We have to admit we’re a bit envious of you living out at Piha! Surrounded by nature and being so close to the wild west coast beach is a dream. What do you enjoy about living outside of the city, is it a slower paced life? 

Yes it definitely is, it’s such a dream. Piha will always and forever be such a special place for me. Unfortunately I had move closer to the city for now but the lifestyle, the people and the community out there are amazing.

I will forever be so grateful for them and to have had that experience of lifestyle.  

Lastly, we’d love to know if you have any intentions for 2021? Or are you just taking this year as it comes..?

I definitely have a few things up my sleeve for 2021, I’m currently working on some new work which I will be putting out soon. But I think at the moment I’m just going with the flow and taking each day has it comes.

Especially after last year it was so disrupted, I’m just going to be present and enjoy each day this year. 

 

Discover more of Chloe's beautiful artwork here:

@chloepomfretart