Quiet Light Remnants
by Rachael Hayton
Old bridges, weathered fences and forgotten corners of rural Aotearoa, in soft pastel.
Featured Work: RemnantsThe remains of the old Alexandra bridge in Central Otago, standing beside the new bridge that replaced it. What caught Rachael's eye wasn't just the two structures, but the way the old one now sits within the landscape. Remnants is currently showing in the Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award, 27 September to 23 October 2026.
Quiet Light Remnants is a collection of original soft pastel paintings by Waikato artist Rachael Hayton, exploring what's left in the New Zealand landscape once its original purpose starts to fade. An old bridge. A weathered fence. A forgotten wagon. A house still standing quietly on its own. Ordinary structures, but each one carries traces of the people, journeys and lives that came before.
Rachael is drawn to these subjects because they aren't perfect. Age, weather and time leave their own marks, building texture, character and a sense of history into every surface. Some of these structures are still doing their job. Others are slowly being taken back by the land. From Central Otago to the road between Raetihi and Ohakune, the works in Remnants form part of her developing Quiet Light series.
Explore original hand painted artwork available to purchase.
The remains of the old Alexandra bridge in Central Otago, standing alongside the new bridge that replaced it. What drew Rachael in wasn't simply the structures, but the way the old and new now sit together within the landscape.
Framed soft pastel on pastel mat. Framed size 470mm wide × 630mm high. Framed with Artglass and acid free mat board.
Discovered in the middle of nowhere on the Clutha Gold Trail, this beautifully abandoned car was too good to pass by. Rachael stopped to photograph it and later brought it into pastel.
Framed soft pastel on pastel mat. Framed size 600mm wide × 450mm high. Framed with Artglass and acid free mat board.
An old fence line crossing a wetland. A fence is such an ordinary part of rural life, but as it ages and starts to disappear it becomes something else entirely. Rachael loved the shapes left by the remaining posts and wire, softened by the light and atmosphere around them.
Framed soft pastel on pastel mat. Framed size 500mm wide × 410mm high. Framed with Artglass and acid free mat board.
An ordinary rural structure that has earned its character simply by standing in the same place for so long. Not grand, not abandoned, just weathered, useful and familiar, as though it has been quietly watching the landscape change around it.
Unframed soft pastel on pastel mat, prepared for framing on backing board with mat. Overall size 500mm wide × 400mm high (65mm mat per side).
Inside the Studio
Rachael Hayton is the artist behind the work on this site. Rachael uses soft pastels to create art that captures memories and celebrates beauty found in nature, architecture, animals, and sometimes just the small things we enjoy day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes – Rachael welcomes commission enquiries for portraits, landscapes, still life, and other subjects. Get in touch via the contact page to discuss your idea, preferred size, and timeline, and Rachael will provide a personalised quote.
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Yes, Rachael ships worldwide. Standard shipping within New Zealand is available at checkout. For orders outside New Zealand, please contact Rachael directly so she can arrange shipping and provide a quote based on your location. Contact Rachael
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Every artwork is hand-painted by Rachael in her studio in New Zealand. She lives and works in the Waikato, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscapes of Aotearoa and beyond.
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Rachael works exclusively in soft pastels, hand-applied to professional pastel paper. Soft pastels are known for their rich, layered colour and the delicate textural quality that defines her work.
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Some paintings come framed, and some are unframed, this detail is available in the product title. If you'd like to discuss custom framing options, contact Rachael directly and she'll tailor the order to suit you. Contact Rachael
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Yes – every piece in the store is an original soft pastel painting by Rachael Hayton, hand-painted in New Zealand. There is only one of each artwork available, and each piece is signed by the artist.
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Soft pastel paintings should always be displayed under glass to protect the delicate surface. Hang the artwork out of direct sunlight to preserve the colour, and avoid humid spaces such as bathrooms. With proper care, a soft pastel painting will last a lifetime.
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Yes – if you'd like to adjust framing, request specific shipping arrangements, or discuss anything else about your purchase, contact Rachael directly. She's happy to tailor the order to suit your needs. Contact Rachael