Hi, I'm Gayle Clearwater.

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I'm a Visual Artist, Photographer, Sculptor and Educator based in Southland, New Zealand, and the founder of Twisted Willow Studio.

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My passion has always been creating meaningful artwork that helps people see themselves with confidence, preserve precious memories, and celebrate the moments that matter most.

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Photography first captured my heart as a young girl, inspired by my grandfather's beautiful bellows camera. That passion led me into a career as a freelance photographer and later I completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in Photography, and built my own private rural studio where clients can enjoy a relaxed, welcoming and personalised experience.

Today my work extends beyond photography into life casting, fine art and community art projects. Whether I'm creating an empowering portrait, preserving the hands of loved ones, or developing sculptural works that tell personal stories, my goal is always the same—to create artwork that will be treasured for generations.

Alongside my studio, I also tutor Photography and Printmaking at the Southern Institute of Technology and community night classes at Southland Education,  where I enjoy encouraging others to discover their own creative voice.

I believe every person has a story worth celebrating, and it is a privilege to help preserve those stories through art.

"Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your soul."
— Alice Walker