Susan Archer

I started painting again in 2022, having not picked up a paint brush since completing an O level in Art, many years ago. I have enjoyed attempting a number of pet portraits for friends and family since then in acrylic, and I am now also venturing into charcoal and pen and watercolour. I have been quite surprised at what it is possible to achieve after all this time.

Mark Baker

I specialise in creating architectural illustrations in watercolour. My style is accurate and detailed whilst employing the freshness of the medium. A suite of techniques is employed to paint precisely in watercolour. Having studied art in Cheltenham, I graduated in design at De Montfort University – which has provided an ideal grounding for architectural illustration.

Pauline Bamber



I cannot recall a time when I did not paint. In those long-ago days, we all painted ‘en plein air’ happy days outside in all weathers.    Commissions of many houses and buildings, painted in Watercolour and Pen & Wash.   Painting oils outdoors in inclement weather can be very taxing, with easels blowing over, then having to remove the grit and dirt from ones masterpiece.

Two years ago, I was persuaded to return to oils. An introduction to Peter Kotka. who has taught me to paint like the old masters.   I am still learning, as one never stops on this journey. This has been like a new lease in my life and rekindled my love of oils.

I still paint commissions of houses in watercolour, alongside many new challenges with oils.

Hazel Bech

This my effort entitled “Lockdown Frustration Revealed”. I really lost my painting mojo during lockdown and could not do any art work at all. This started as a sketch of an autumn tree at Batsford Arboretum before the pandemic hit us. I sat down one day, well into lockdown and did this. It is acrylic and conte.

Lizzie Bentley was born in Birmingham, studied Fine Art at the Ruskin (Oxford University), lived in London for two decades and is now back in the Midlands living in Binton, near Stratford On Avon where she has a studio.   

Working directly from life, Lizzie takes time setting up a still-life, usually flowers, in her studio. Painting in oils, she begins each of her paintings in a representational manner. Once she becomes absorbed in the process and the painting has established itself, she inevitably finds herself taking a more perceptual and emotional approach, capturing how she feels about the subject in front of her. 

“I usually take a long time mixing the exact colours that I see in front of me. It is important for me to paint the truth, to paint the true colours that I see. Photographs do not capture the colours that we really see. I intend to capture those colours. As long as I put down the true colours that I see in the subject in front of me then I know that the painting will be honest”.

www.lizziebentley.com

Keith Billington

I've chosen these paintings as my representations of Stratford. I hope they convey the colour, contrast and vibrancy that can be achieved through the application of watercolour and gouache paint. For me, the journey of learning to be a better painter never ends.

More painting slideshows can be seen by searching 'Kenilworth Painter' on Pinterest (Keith Billington) and click on the word 'Kenilworth 40' underneath the images.

Louise Brook

Northamptonshire based Fine Art Artist, Louise Brook, has experience working across multiple styles and mediums. In her abstract work, Louise uses layers of acrylic paint and mixed media to create rich texture and visual interest, whilst inviting the viewer on a journey to explore a contemporary narrative or more complex overarching theme. Since moving out of London to focus solely on her artistic career her work has continued to evolve and bold, exciting abstract works have become her predominant focus.

Louise describes her inspiration as a broad, natural curiosity to explore complex topics. Ideas are drawn from an exciting variety of sources ranging from current affairs to academic research, using storytelling and discovery to create an accessible narrative. Her intention is to inform and intrigue, sparking interest, curiosity, and conversation. Recent achievements include being Longlisted for both the Visual Arts Open 2023 and the Visual Artist’s Association Professional Artist Award 2023, as well as an Honourable Mention in the prestigious Artist of the Month Competition at Influx Gallery. 

Website link: www.louisebrookcreative.com

Diana Chambers

I have a degree in Fine Art from Newcastle University and then proceeded to become a lecturer and curator at the Whitworth Art Gallery at Manchester University

Marriage and children took over, and I ended up having an Antique Jewellry shop and the Vintner Wine Bar in Stratford.

I am now retired and have a lovely studio in my garden 

My instagram account is dianachambers323

Rosemary Cole

I took up Art when I retired, not having been allowed to do Art at senior school. I like to try new techniques and media and find the workshops and demonstrations helpful and stimulating.

The underwater picture was done after the mixed media demonstration earlier this year and includes the skeleton of a leaf, moss and hazel catkins. It depicts a dive in the Red Sea.

One of the other painting is in oil and shows a walk on a sunny summer day while the other, very much the opposite, is in acrylics of a wet winter evening in town.

Michael Culverwell

Having started my journey into painting late in life, after I finished a proper job, I found that painting in oils gave me the greatest satisfaction and enjoyment. This is due to going to classes, watching demonstrations and more particularly by completing the class exercises as you learn so much. I have no favourite genre but find life and figure drawing /painting the biggest challenge. Participating and looking at paintings old and new is so therapeutic more people should try - it really makes a difference to how you feel.

May 2023

Brenda Currigan



My art is a hobby like gardening and reading. When I’m able to ‘stand still’ in a busy retirement, the creativity is completely absorbing and relaxing.

Mike Dain (Associate Member)

During the two years between March 2020 and March 2022, I completed building the model railway I had started in October 2019, just in time to display it at my Model Railway Club's first public exhibition at Stratford Bowls Club, on Mothers' Day. I consider it to be a Work of Art!!

Laura Dunmow.

Original Oil Paintings

 www.lauradunmowart.com

My Inspiration: Visionary landscape that evoke the essence of each place, - explored by imagination.

Combining my love of travel with adventure, I am captivated by wide open spaces, dramatic coastlines and the everchanging skies above. My paintings are composed from an extensive image library, - a collection of cloud formations above land and sea, observing how the natural light

interacts with the textural, landscapes below. A fusion of various elements builds the paintings' composition, illuminating stories of nature's atmosphere and drama - journeys created to invite you in.

Stephanie Edelston

I am an A-level art student, and I have enjoyed portraiture throughout GCSE. Surrealism is a particular interest of mine and I take inspiration from dreams and Freudian psychoanalysis which manifests throughout my work. Please view my etsyaccount: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/YourCustomPortraits1 for portraiture.

Penelope Fetherston

I have always drawn and painted. My academic study had art at its centre, however an early, unexpected change of career left much less time to pursue this than I would have liked. I am now enjoying having the time to refocus on my artwork, which has always lent itself naturally towards an illustrative and realistic style. My sources of inspiration are wide and diverse, drawing mainly on real life and nature and I enjoy using a variety of media. I paint mainly for my own pleasure but also accept commissions.  You can see more of my work on: http://www.facebook.com/penelopefetherstonart

Roland Fletcher

With leftover card from my picture mounting. My longing to be by the seaside again which seems an eternity!

Rosemary Frith

My inspiration stems from a very varied life and the beauty I have encounter in my travels. Colour and design play an important part of my work also from everyday images one sees. l interpret these into magical creations which I hope you will enjoy.

Sue Fryer



I enjoy working on rough paper using water colour and oil pastel which gives a nice texture to the painting. All my work has cheerful and bright colours.

Paul Garrison

These three paintings are roughly based on the tryptic known as ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ by Hieronymus Bosch the Dutch artist painted around 1500, I thoroughly enjoyed painting these over the first period of COVID lockdown, the individual panels represent The Garden of Eden, the Garden of Earthly Delights and Hell.

I’ve always been fascinated by the dark and quirky works of Bosch which are filled with so much symbolism and detail and became influential among the Surrealist movement over 400 years later!

Angela Gilbert

I have a passion for " Wildlife" which provides lots of inspiration.

I hope my work raises a smile and always reflects things I have personally seen.

I use mixed media, including pastel, acrylic, watercolour, and collage. Painting for over ten years, I am learning all the time.

Kim Hand



I started painting 7 years ago in watercolour. Through observing others and spending vast amounts of time 'playing', I think I have developed my own style. I am continually fascinated by the medium of watercolour and I love to explore new techniques to develop my art.

Nancy Hougham

In February, 2020, just before Covid struck, I contracted a bad bout of shingles, followed by chronic neuralgia. In April I knew I had to get some fitness back and fight my depression by walking. It was a beautiful Spring morning and, as I turned into a tree lined avenue near home, the sight and smell of the cherry blossom trees took my breath away! I felt calm and filled with hope. I knew I should try to start painting again and decided to depict this small journey on canvas. I used my version of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch to show my first anxious steps through the darkness into the light. 

“Journey to the Blossom Tree and beyond” Acrylic on Canvas - 60 x 80 cms

Popi Koutentaki

I have been drawing and painting for most of my life.

I love all the mediums and I have experimented with many.

My favorites are encaustic, oil, acrylic , pen and ink, watercolour and clay. Sometimes I mix the mediums. 

Form is something I want to create in my paintings but after creating it I want to set it free. Something like being confined but released from a small space and becoming many particles.

 I love making a hundred shades of each colour and using it in a way that although it's a little abstract it still contains the form.

Art heals, and this has been my experience through my whole life and continues to heal me to this day.

My website is www.popiarts.co.uk

Doreen Langhorn



I really missed seeing everybody during the lockdown and also, being a people painter, ran out of subjects to paint! The zoom art meetings were an absolute godsend and gave me the idea to do a zoom painting, I did lightning sketches and took lots of rather blurry photos directly from my computer screen and used these to compose my first painting. Each watercolour mini, 5” x 4” portrait took on average four hours, although I began to speed up towards the end.

I found this enterprise to be great fun and totally absorbing. So, having completed the first one, I went on to do another painting of the children in an imaginary zoom classroom! Almost all the children in the photo are based on photos of my three granddaughters, taken over many years, which I have varied and adapted, changing ethnicity, hairstyle and even gender to try and tell a typical classroom story! Alice, Bee and Lottie had a lot of laughter trying to work out who was who when I emailed them a copy of the finished painting. 

Jenny Law

My work starts with the horizon and the connection between land, sea and the sky working from imagination, mood and emotion.

I explore ways to capture and express the atmosphere with colours and the beauty of our ever-changing land and seascapes giving energy and emotion to my paintings.

As a child I spent many holidays exploring the coastline in Wales and Devon, this got me interested in the beautiful surroundings and then becoming a lifelong dedication to evoke and create memories. I enjoy walking in the Warwickshire countryside and taking in my surroundings in order to create works of art back at the easel.

My website is:   www.jennylawfineart.co.uk

Instagram :  @jennylawfineart

Dorothy Lawson

My intention is to create a piece of unique art which can be appreciated and enjoyed by others as much as I have experienced in the designing of the finished piece of sculptured glass.

Howard Lucas

The lockdowns & restrictions associated with Covid provided me the time to be selfishly introspective and to reflect on my work, my making technics and what I wanted to achieve from my work. My inspiration is drawn from the natural world, the flowing organic forms of nature and the ever changing grain patterns, variable colours & textures of wood which I try to exploit and enhance in my design and making through the use of simple soft flowing shapes, curving flowing lines and the application of colour. The time of enforced Covid reflection and introspection lead to a time of evolution, my work becoming finer, slimmer and more refined, with the flowing curving lines becoming more sensuous and more pronounced, giving rise, I hope to a more visually exciting and engaging pieces of work.

Joanne Makin

I started oil painting a couple of years ago. I used to work mainly in black and white print so am now enjoying a whole new world of colour. I take on portrait commissions and am currently working on a series of self-portraits as painting practice. I also paint still life which allows me to indulge in a wide range of bright colour.

Link to my website:

www.joannemakin.co.uk

Paulette Moore

Although I’ve been painting for over twenty years, I had only painted in oils for a couple of years. During lockdown I enrolled in an on line course with Peter Keegan. This had such an impact I mostly now paint in oils, especially using Michael Harding paints - expensive but you get what you pay for, they’re beautiful.



“I admire so many artists, too many to mention, and try to learn from their pieces. However, I take my inspiration from things that make me want to capture that image on canvas. 

I still have a lesson each week, and I attend as many workshops as I can afford to continue my learning journey. I love to paint plein air with friends, and take painting holidays at home and abroad. 

I will always be learning, and hope to continue to do so for a long, long time”

Shelagh Morgan

Liz Mulrey

I came to art later in life after a friend gave me a small watercolour palette. To show my appreciation I thought I better use it despite no experience. The subsequent drawing and ‘colouring in’ with the watercolour paint ignited what has become a great passion. I now have some knowledge of various painting mediums and enjoy going on workshops to learn more techniques. It is a great hobby and keeps my mind busy and distracted in a good way.



Lisa Musgrove

I have been a member of the society for less than two years but in that time I have become very involved and have taken on the role of workshop manager. This has allowed me to attend all the workshops and to learn so much from the artists and other members attending. I love trying out new mediums and new techniques as well as meeting so many fantastic people! The Hare was completed on the recent watercolour workshop with Susan Neale.

Painting is an exciting hobby for me and I am yet to find my own style but I will keep experimenting!

Rupert Musgrove

It’s a funny old thing, life. For fifty-plus years art only featured as the occasional appreciation of other’s work. I had no comprehension of how to make the right sort of ‘marks’ to create and convey an image. Then lockdown happened, and a chance viewing of ‘The Joy of Painting’ (good old Bob Ross) raised some possibilities – an awareness and appreciation that it might be possible to smear some paint onto a canvas and come up with something.

My approach is exploratory – very much a ‘monkeys with typewriters’ aspiration that enough smeared paint on enough canvases might render an occasional acceptable result.

Painting on almost anything to hand (canvas, paper, coasters…), favourite subjects are coastal and hill/mountain scenes, local views, pets and just ‘made up’.

The first picture is a ‘happy mountain’, inspired by the original Bob Ross videos.

A set of coasters – I’ll often paint a miniature, based on a larger painting

I’ve been to a few workshops, on various media, and these have added additional inspirations - and challenges in remembering all the excellent techniques.

The last work is one of the most recent attempts – using oil/ cold wax in a fairly abstract style

The journey has a long way to go

Rita Oakes

I have wanted to paint these irises for some time now and only just managed it. In a part of my garden that had not been particularly cared for in past years, appeared these beautifully vibrant irises in the midst of a jumbly mess of foliage. I saw this as a must for an oil painting and finally managed to do it this year. Thoroughly enjoyed painting it!

Patricia Padget

My paintings are inspired by things that are so mundane they are normally ignored, but that have somehow attracted attention. Maybe because of the effect of sunlight.. or a glimpse of the true nature of cats…

Barbara Perkins

I mainly paint, stitch etc for myself, not primarily for the commercial market, although it is nice when someone wants to buy a piece of artwork because they like it. I was a primary school teacher for 13 years and believe that art is essential in life's journey. I couldn't survive without it. It's part of my DNA. My paintings/collages are based on wild places which I love to visit, and revisit, and are an expression of the emotive feelings which I have in these places. I also make hundreds of original cards as a creative outlet for my response to life’s rich tapestry. This year I am supporting the work of The Alzheimers Society through the sale of my work.

Rod Perkins

Following a long career in the water industry, I devote much of my time to my watercolour, acrylic and mixed media painting. My inspiration comes from the changing moods of nature, which I attempt to capture in my landscapes and seascapes, and from the texture and ‘hidden’ shapes found in natural forms such as tree bark and rocks. I enjoy experimenting with a variety of techniques and bases to add texture and interest to finished paintings. I also enjoy creating quirky papiermache models. This year I am supporting the work of The Alzheimers Society through the sale of my work.

Bob Perks

 I suppose that I've drawn or painted a variety of different views, objects, people or animals at the request of family, friends or work colleagues. However, the last few years and the opportunity to travel have led me to appreciate the great cities of the world, and their awe inspiring architecture. I guess, to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, "when a man is tired of London, or New York, he is tired of life" 

Kim Philpotts

The Book Lovers Reading was one of the things that sustained me throughout lock down. Many of these books concerned either Greek Mythology or Victorian Theatre. I wanted to mark this period of my life and express it in visual terms. The image features Cabaret Clown - a character that often appears in my illustrations accompanied by Lion. In this instance Clown is joined by an Owl - the symbol of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, Handicraft and Strategy. The library location could be read as a stage setting. This is a digital print in which I have finessed one of my pencil drawings with computer software.

Jane Powell

Having grown up in rural Worcestershire, I have always found joy in expansive landscapes. As a child, I had a special place at the top of our lane where I would sit and could see for miles; it was exhilarating, like being on top of the world! 

 However, living in the landlocked Midlands does give me a hankering after the coast. Like many of us, I have always felt an affinity with the sea and can watch it for hours. I visit as often as possible with my sketchbook in hand to try and capture the true essence of a particular place at that moment in time.

​

I love painting outdoors and I feel truly alive when finding new ways to express the light, beauty and emotion in the landscape under the changing skies. Feeling the same excitement and wonder I felt in my childhood is what drives me to create my paintings. Oils and acrylics are my preferred mediums; working with a limited palette, I enjoy exploring abstract and impressionistic techniques using exciting colour combinations, exploring shapes, texture and experimenting with different mark-making implements. I do commissions and teach workshops find out more at www.janepowellartist.co.uk

Brian Prangle

I work in soft pastels, aiming for an impressionist mark-making style. I love pastels because they're tactile, immediate and vibrant.

Paintings for sale at

www.brianprangleart.co.uk

Mike Salmon

This owl is the provincial bird of Alberta (where I used to live) or Great Horned owl, in watercolour.

The Lion and the picture of Bruges are painted in  acrylic. 

For more information contact leachimsalmon@outlook.com 

Diane Shorleson

I am an abstracted landscape artist, working out of my studio based at Craycombe Retail Park, right next to Evesham Golf Club in Worcestershire. I am very fortunate to work in a lovely location surrounded by the beautiful Worcestershire countryside which is my inspiration - a definite plus for an abstracted landscape artist!

I love colour and texture, and much of my work transcends the boundaries of traditional landscapes. I work primarily in acrylic/mixed media and I find the unpredictability of these mediums creates an interesting dynamic, creating experimental and expressive pieces of work.

I don’t want to replicate the landscape like a photograph or paint the exact scene before me, I simply want to capture the essence of a place, a feeling, an emotion and create an energetic and expressive piece of art.

Website: www.craycombeartstudio.com 

Instagram @craycombeartstudio



Creative Pandemic-Wendy Smith



During the first lockdown of the Pandemic, I, along with others I am sure, struggled to find enthusiasm and inspiration for any Art project. However, one day I chanced upon the inspiration I needed through an online visit to the National Gallery website. Throughout the Pandemic, the National Gallery provided free ‘Draw and Learn’ sessions on zoom, with short Art classes lead by in-house Art Historians and Artists. That particular day, the session I joined was about Van Gogh’s ‘Long grass with butterflies’. People from all over the world were able to join the session. After a short talk by an Art Historian about how Van Gogh used line and colour in his painting, an in-house Artist continued the session with a 20 minute demonstration of how to do an interpretation of Van Gogh’s work, focusing on one small area of the work and building upon it. During the session I used pastels to create my interpretation, and became fascinated by the way the simple marks I was making, using many different colours and tones, emerged to become a vision of a grassy meadow. At the end of the session, a few people had the opportunity to show their interpretations, which was also fascinating. Pleased with the effect I created in my study, and after much thought, I decided to use the same principle, but painting with acrylics. I still used the idea of a study of a small area of the same Van Gogh painting, but also looked at his painting of ‘Irises in the Garden’. I wanted a large scale picture to support the idea of a huge meadow - it measured 1.4x1.3 m. I painted the picture in situ, protecting the wall with a sheet. I enjoyed the whole process so much, and was so pleased with the result that the picture still now hangs on my kitchen wall. I am now a member of the National Gallery, and regularly join in their classes and tours online. Thank you National Gallery! 

Jane Spence

I am interested in creating intriguing spaces where tales can unfold or mood and atmosphere can be felt. I generally work in oils or mixed media, overlaying marks and colour, sometimes using collage to create my initial composition, which I then use to inform my painting. A fascination with drama, storytelling and performance continues to influence my work. 

​

I have an MA in Painting from Coventry University and a BA Hons in Theatre Design from City of Birmingham University.

​I have lived in Brunei Darussalam and Kazakhstan, exhibiting in Brunei and Malaysia as well as the UK. I now live in Stratford-upon-Avon.

​

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested in my work, or would simply like to know more about my practice. I am also happy to discuss commissions.

Instagram: @janespencepaintings1

Website: https://janespencepainting.wixsite.com/mysite 

Elizabeth Street

I have been painting for many years, but have recently discovered that drawing with a pen ,or sometimes adding pencils to the mix, is a different way of looking at life.

Jo Wade

My training is in Fine Art.

I am a painter printmaker and enjoy being experimental in my mark making.

My inspiration is the transience of time. Through the ebb & flow of the tide and the changing of the seasons, I aim to capture an imagined moment whilst reiterating time's cyclical nature. In the abstract, I endeavour to create the sense of looking ahead or of holding a moment. The way I use my media enables me to express the nature of a place. In not taking anywhere in its entirety but drawing from its essence, I hope to create the sense of a space and the way it makes me feel. 

Deborah Watton

Deborah's philosophy is to bring the outdoors, indoors, and through this she enjoys working in various fields of drawing and photography with her main passion being botanicals. She takes inspiration from her own walled cottage garden and the magnificent public gardens around the local areas.

Deborah produces accurate detailed Botanical images in polychromos coloured pencils together with graphite, using her own photographs to accurately depict the subject, long after the live plant has deteriorated. 

Deborah has just gained a Diploma in Botanical Art using coloured pencil and graphite with London Art College, and is currently studying with the Society of Botanical Artists on their 27 month Diploma Course.

She is also a member of the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists and regularly exhibits locally.

Paula Wilkinson

I lived in Stratford for over 30 years and now I'm just down the road in Bidford on Avon. A lifelong lover of art and creative crafts, I first began to learn silversmithing in 2013 when I attended evening classes at Warwickshire college. I loved creating silver jewellery so much that I bought some tools and set up my own little studio at home. I love the creative process, experimenting, having fun dreaming up and trying out new designs.

All of my jewellery is made by hand, using traditional silversmithing tools and techniques. Each piece is made individually from recycled sterling silver. Some items also include semi-precious gemstones, copper or enamels to add colour to the design. My inspiration comes from the making process; manipulating the metal by bending, saw piercing, melting, soldering; and from the materials, but also from nature, plants, countryside, architecture and cats.

I think of my jewellery as little pieces of art that you can wear and it gives me great pleasure to create these pieces, knowing that they bring pleasure to those who wear them.

You can find my website here: https://www.paulawilkinsonjewellery.co.uk

Bryonie Williams

I produced very little work during the pandemic but I gardened endlessly and the photograph shows my pandemic pot. Me in my garden. It is a coil pot with several layers of coloured slip which I then ‘drew’ into with a sharp knife. This process revealed various layers of colour, mainly greens and browns. A memorable moment, for me, was when my husband broke (accidentally) my vintage gardening fork and a reminder of this is illustrated on the reverse side - he did buy me a replacement.

Bryonie has added three more images to her gallery.

Dr Robert Williams.

Informed by many years of experience nursing plus the essential participation and feedback from nine nurses, I created a new project called 'Being a Nurse'. Over sixty collages and prints of nurses' hands were created to explore the intimate, hands on, personal care provided by nurses. At the heart of this project is nurses' complex practice involving interdependent practical, intellectual and, above all, emotional labour. Hence the work includes representation of, for example, vulnerability, compassion, anxiety, care, loss, suffering, sharing care, success, mistakes, healing, courage, fear, humour, empathy, giving and 'in it together'.

The project as a whole can be seen in its own gallery within my website, www.robertwilliamsart.co.uk, but the work presented here is one simple, important print entitled 'Being a Nurse: compassion'.