Coral Spencer was born in Durban in November 1965.  One of her earliest influences was her grandfather Thomas Moll, who was the headmaster of Endeleni Art school and teachers training college outside of Richmond.  Her early years where spent surrounded by students and art making, murals and woodcarving.  Her parents travelled a lot and she was moved from country to country and school to school.  When living in Scotland (1979 – 1981) she was exposed to the classics with numerous trips to Glasgow School of Art and school trips to London to view selected exhibitions.  On returning to South Africa she completed her schooling in 1983, and obtained her Diploma in Fine Art from Technikon  Natal in 1986.  She then worked as a graphic artist for several years, before becoming a studio manager.

Spencer married in 1993 and had two children.  It was at this time that she returned to oil painting.  Her fascinations with the figure and body language have become key elements in her work.  A lover of high skill she extends herself daily to capture light and form within her work, with a comprehensive knowledge of colour and light on the human figure and its effects.  Working mainly on commissions, Spencer paints and draws for an average of 8 hours a day, pushing herself to extend her skills.  She was selected for the ABSA Atelier 2001 awards in KZN, and participated in all the NSA members (won a merit award) and collaborative exhibitions.

Her work can be viewed at selected Galleries throughout the country, and can be found in private collections (Mark McNaulty collection, Lever Brothers – 60 pen and ink drawings, and others).  She attends two artist retreats a year, one in Clarence, and the other in Colesberg.  These are having a great influence on her work in terms of shared knowledge amongst a group of like-minded artists.