‘Although my early development in art was essentially one of design, for as long as I can remember painting and drawing was an activity in which I felt more interested. A fascination with the history of painters and their work began at adolescence, and the opportunity to produce work was encouraged at my first Art College through the discipline of life classes and my own expeditions in outdoor sketching and painting.
St. Ives became very important in this aspect; I first visited in 1963 when I drew images of Porthmeor and the harbour. I revisited St. Ives throughout the subsequent years, and now reside in the town.
My art work is still somehow connected to the idea of landscape, although a strong impulse towards the plasticity and aesthetic quality of oil paint can dominate in the actual process, producing a more emotionally charged result. Essentially abstract, my paintings record experiences of how texture and balance, depth of field, and colour have become the prime motive in my work.’
Colour and process are the two fundamental aspects of Heather’s work, colour is intuitive and celebratory, starting with a saturated coloured ground, this creates an atmosphere and through the use of layers and a constant reworking of the painted surface, a personal vocabulary of marks develop, using brushes, print rollers, squeegees, any tool that enables her to create and reveal atmospheric layers, a lyrical and fluid atmosphere develops evoking an emotional response in the viewer and memories of seascape/landscape.
Wild swimming has given her a new perspective and access to the sea year round, having immersed herself in the unique colours of the St Ives beaches she then immerses herself in the painting process back in her studio, she likes to work on many canvases at the same time using acrylic paint offers her the freedom of building up layers quickly and capturing a sense of energy and movement of the sea. Painterly lines and marks serve as metaphors of energy, movement and growth, exploring the relationship between colour and the vitality of the natural world.
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‘I’m passionate about exploring and documenting our fast changing world.‘
‘As a mixed media artist and maker I enjoy working with a variety of materials producing paintings, artists’ books, sculptures and collaged hangings. My work is renowned for its signature subtle palette of greys and soft blues and many of my abstract paintings are an intuitive exploration of a textured painted surface where the final outcome is often unknown – whereas other artworks are worked on a theme or current project. Some of my recent pieces include hand stitch and textiles which create an interesting fusion of techniques. The use of sketchbooks is an integral part of my working process and a great passion of mine.‘
‘I work from my studio in Cornwall on the sand dunes of Gwithian Towans looking out to Godrevy Lighthouse and towards the artist’s town of St Ives. I am an active member of The St Ives Society of Artists, and regularly exhibit locally and in London.’
‘I work in a variety of media but drawing is central to the way I explore my subject matter, using observation, imagination and invention. Over the years I have focused on many different subjects, but landscape and animal studies form the core of my current work.‘
I have worked in Portscatho as a painter since 1984 and have exhibited in France and the U K, including at the Royal Academy, London and the Paris salon. I had a retrospective exhibition at Falmouth Art gallery in 2001. Both Falmouth Art gallery and the Royal Cornwall museum hold examples of my work. I was very pleased to be elected an Honorary Member of the St Ives society of Artists in 2018.
Lesley captures the peace and spirit of her life on the Cornish smallholding through her exquisite watercolours and oils. As well as working for exhibitions her paintings can be seen in various publications.
June Hicks was born in Yorkshire and has lived in Cornwall since 1957. She studied at the School of Art in Penzance with Bouverie Hoyton and John Tunnard and later learned to etch with Joan Whiteford.
In 1987 she opened her own etching workshop and small gallery at Trevescan, near Sennen. Her work is now in private collections and galleries in Cornwall and beyond. She is a founder member of the Penwith Printmakers, and belongs to the Small Print Gallery co-operative in Penzance
Hilary is an award winning illustrative artist living and working in Cornwall. Her drawings, watercolours and prints capture the atmosphere of the windswept cliffs of the Cornish coastline as well as interiors of abandoned old buildings.