Whimsical Wanderings
by New Zealand artist, Claire Delaney McLeary
A collection of imagined journeys and quiet wonderings.
The Little Room
28 Aug - 6 Sep 2026
9.00am-2.00pm Wednesday to Sunday
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost.”
- J.R.R. Tolkien
Whimsical Wanderings is a collection of imagined journeys and quiet wonderings. Through watercolour paintings, oil paintings, and hand-sculpted character dolls, the works drift through playful worlds where children, steampunk figures, birds, and hot air balloons travel between earth and sky, memory and invention.
These pieces are not fixed stories, but beginnings. Each one offers a moment to pause -something seen out of the corner of the eye, a fragment of a tale, a question waiting for a reply.
The rest belongs to the viewer, and where their imagination chooses to wander.
Workshops
Claire is holding a series of workshops during her exhibition. Limited seats are available in each workshop, so book now to avoid disappointment.
1-day Workshops:
All of a Flutter: A whimsical drawing and painting workshop inspired by birds.
Sat 29 August, 9:30am-3:30pm
$105pp + booking fee
Whimsical Faces: Create expressive, imaginative character faces using watercolours, drawing and fine-line pen.
Sun 30 August, 9:30am-3:30pm
$105pp + booking fee
The Road Less Travelled: Explore storytelling, character development and whimsical landscape painting.
Thu 3 September, 9:30am-3:30pm
$105pp + booking fee
Wanderings in Mixed Media: Create expressive, imaginative character faces using watercolours, drawing and fine-line pen.
Fri 4 September, 9:30am-3:30pm
$105pp + booking fee
2-day Workshop
Character Dolls: Bring an imaginative character to life using wire, polymer clay and mixed media techniques.
Friday 5 & Saturday 6 September, 9:30am-3:30pm each day
$255pp + booking fee
Represented Artists:
Claire Delaney McLeary
Claire Delaney McLeary is a New Zealand-based artist, author, illustrator, and creative facilitator with more than thirty years of professional experience.
Born in the United Kingdom, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Textiles and Fashion and has built a career celebrating imagination, storytelling, and the creative process through her art and teaching.
Working across watercolour, oil painting, mixed media, and sculptural character dolls, Claire creates whimsical worlds that invite curiosity and wonder.
She has written and illustrated numerous books and has guided hundreds of people on their own creative journeys through workshops that encourage exploration, confidence, and joyful self-expression.
Her work is inspired by folklore, nature, childhood stories, and the belief that creativity has the power to connect us to ourselves, each other, and worlds beyond the ordinary.
Exhibition Catalogue
Join us for the opening of Whimsical Wanderings
Be among the first to experience this exhibition in person, and meet the artist Claire Delaney McLeary, in person over a glass of wine (or non-alcoholic cordial) and our delicious grazing table.
Friday 28 August 2026
6.00pm - 8.00pm
The exhibition opening is free to attend, however an RSVP is required for catering purposes.