Stories from The Quiet Wild

The stories behind the paintings, encounters with wildlife, days out with my camera and the occasional bit of chaos from life as an artist. This is where I share the moments that make their way into my work, and quite a few that don't.

Why I Paint in Soft Pastel

Why I Paint in Soft Pastel

Location: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Whenever I tell someone I paint in soft pastel, there's often a brief pause. "Pastel... as in chalk?" Not quite. Soft pastel is pure pigment...

Why I Paint in Soft Pastel

Location: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Whenever I tell someone I paint in soft pastel, there's often a brief pause. "Pastel... as in chalk?" Not quite. Soft pastel is pure pigment...

Where Our Paths Cross: The Story Behind My Red Fox Painting

Where Our Paths Cross: The Story Behind My Red ...

I've been back in New Zealand for less than a week and I'm already covered in pastel dust. There's a fox on my easel. I need to tell you about...

Where Our Paths Cross: The Story Behind My Red ...

I've been back in New Zealand for less than a week and I'm already covered in pastel dust. There's a fox on my easel. I need to tell you about...

New Zealand Fantail pastel painting- Karen Gourley

Just Passing Through: The Story Behind My New F...

The New Zealand fantail, or pīwakawaka, has a habit of turning ordinary afternoons into unforgettable moments. Here's the story behind my latest fantail painting and why these tiny native birds...

Just Passing Through: The Story Behind My New F...

The New Zealand fantail, or pīwakawaka, has a habit of turning ordinary afternoons into unforgettable moments. Here's the story behind my latest fantail painting and why these tiny native birds...

Belfast Lough Karen Gourley Artist

Looking at Home Through Different Eyes: Redisco...

Sometimes you have to leave home before you really see it. Returning to Belfast, I rediscovered its wildlife through the haunting call of a Eurasian curlew, familiar European robins and...

Looking at Home Through Different Eyes: Redisco...

Sometimes you have to leave home before you really see it. Returning to Belfast, I rediscovered its wildlife through the haunting call of a Eurasian curlew, familiar European robins and...

Kotare Sacred Kingfisher framed fine art print, the New Zealand bird compared to the British kingfisher in this post

Same Name, Different Bird: How the Kotare Compa...

Location: Canterbury, New Zealand & United Kingdom One of the questions I get asked quite a lot is whether the kotare is the same kingfisher people remember from home. The...

Same Name, Different Bird: How the Kotare Compa...

Location: Canterbury, New Zealand & United Kingdom One of the questions I get asked quite a lot is whether the kotare is the same kingfisher people remember from home. The...

Close-up of a Eurasian eagle owl pastel painting in progress, showing detailed orange eyes and feather texture on black paper.

Painting a Eurasian Eagle Owl: Why I Couldn't R...

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand (studio) | County Antrim, Northern Ireland (photographed) If you've been following me on social media, you'll have seen the rather intense pair of orange eyes staring...

Painting a Eurasian Eagle Owl: Why I Couldn't R...

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand (studio) | County Antrim, Northern Ireland (photographed) If you've been following me on social media, you'll have seen the rather intense pair of orange eyes staring...