Soft Pastel Artist

The unique soft pastels of Rachael Hayton’s work create intricate textures and delicate details. Whether vibrant or muted, the colours evoke mood and add a stylish touch to your home or workspace.

Art by Rachael Hayton

Shop Art
A framed still life painting of oranges on a cutting board and a plate, with shadows and soft lighting on a textured surface.

What’s happening

  • Remnants at the Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award

    My painting Remnants, featuring Alexandra’s old and new bridges, has been selected for the 2026 exhibition.

    27 September–23 October 2026 · Lysaght Watt Gallery, Hāwera

    View Remnants

  • Stillness & Light Exhibition

    A joint exhibition of original soft pastel works with Bernadette Ballantyne, exploring moments of light, stillness and connection to place. Opening Saturday 28 November, 11.30am–1pm, with an artist talk at 12.30pm.

    24 November–21 December 2026 · ArtsPost, Hamilton

  • Private Pastel Workshops

    Enjoy a relaxed pastel painting session with a small group, at your place or mine. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a workshop.

    Dates available on request

    Enquire about a workshop

Experience timeless art that invites creativity

Rachael’s artwork spans a diverse range of subjectsrom expressive portraiture and vibrant still life to evocative landscapes that capture the beauty of the Waikato and beyond. Working primarily in soft pastels, she brings a rich depth of colour and texture to every piece. Her commissioned works are especially loved for their warmth and personal touch, offering clients meaningful, one-of-a-kind creations.

  • Scenes from across Aotearoa, captured through soft pastels that celebrate light, texture, and the quiet beauty of the New Zealand landscape.

  • Playful and expressive pastel works exploring “lost and found” edges — where form meets feeling, and everyday objects take on new life.

  • Rachael welcomes commission enquiries for portraits, still life, and landscapes — creating bespoke pastel artworks that hold personal meaning and lasting warmth.

A painted landscape of a garden with white daisies with yellow centers, pink flowers, and green plants, set against a dark background.
A realistic painting of a duckling sitting on grass surrounded by greenery.
Painting of a castle with turrets and towers, snowfall on rooftops, leafless trees in the foreground, and a distant castle shrouded in mist or fog.
Colorful painting of a longhorn steer with pink, purple, and blue hues, standing in front of a light-colored background with a blue fence on the side. The artist's signature 'Rhaston' is at the bottom right corner.
An abstract painting depicting vibrant autumn leaves in shades of red, orange, yellow, and some black outlines, with a light blue background.
Painting of three red mushrooms with white spots growing among green grass and foliage.
Painting of a ballet dancer adjusting her shoe with a tutu, seated on the floor with a purple backdrop.