David Armstrong
“When I paint a scene I try to imagine it as a stage set, with simple shapes and bold colours, imagined yet connected to a time and place.”
David Armstrong, is a talented artist who works from his home studio in Chester le Street, County Durham. After a successful 29-year career in the family construction business, he has turned his focus towards his passion for art and being a foster parent.
Despite having some formal art training, David considers himself largely self-educated, which has allowed him to develop his unique style. His paintings feature a combination of real and imagined scenes in a bold, minimalist style, with inspiration drawn from the beautiful dales, vales, and rugged coastline of Northern England.
Working primarily with acrylics, David’s paintings feature heavy texture, strong tone, and a harmonious muted palette. He is known for his trademark simple yet striking scenes, which capture the essence of the landscapes he paints.
David’s art is a reflection of his love for nature and his surroundings. He believes that his paintings should convey a sense of peace, harmony, and balance, which is evident in his choice of muted colours and minimalist style. His paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for a simpler time, a time when nature was still unspoiled and serene.
Overall, David Armstrong’s art is an embodiment of his love for the natural world, and his ability to capture the essence of a scene in a simple yet striking manner. His work is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft, and it is clear why he has become a beloved artist.
Wanida Mchugh
“Smile or Cry my painting says it all”
Wanida Mchugh is a talented artist who has found her passion in painting. Although she did not have the opportunity to attend art college, she has honed her skills through self-teaching and learning from her mistakes. Her unique blend of contemporary abstracts and landscapes, as well as her quirky animal paintings, showcases her versatility and creativity as an artist.
As a Thai artist living in the UK, Wanida has faced numerous challenges in adapting to a new culture and language. However, she has found inspiration in her everyday experiences and observations, and her paintings reflect her unique interpretation of the world around her.
Wanida’s love for art is evident in the joy she feels when others appreciate and connect with her paintings. For her, the satisfaction of seeing her art displayed in someone’s personal space is the ultimate achievement. Through her art, Wanida has found a way to express herself and connect with others, bridging the gap between cultures and languages.
Lorna Lancaster ASEA
“What I love about being an equine artist is the satisfaction when I capture a look, moment or atmosphere in my subject exactly as I intended.”
Lorna Lancaster is a highly skilled equine artist who is well established in the world of equestrian art. As an Associate Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, her work is highly regarded for its attention to detail and its ability to capture the grace and beauty of horses.
Lorna’s passion for art and design was sparked at a young age, thanks to the influence of her parents. Her father was an architect and her mother was a talented oil painter, providing her with a solid foundation in the world of art. After completing her formal education, Lorna pursued her interest in art and design by studying window display, art history, and graphic design.
Although she initially pursued a career in window dressing, Lorna continued to paint as a hobby, developing her skills in painting people, still life, and animals. Over time, her love for painting horses grew, leading her to specialise in this area of art. In addition to horses, she also paints dogs, drawing on her experience as a pet owner to capture the unique characteristics and personalities of these animals.
Lorna’s deep understanding of horse anatomy, conformation, and character types is evident in her work. As a former dressage competitor, she has a keen eye for the details that make a horse stand out – the engagement, outline, and forwardness that give a horse its grace and elegance. Her paintings are highly sought after by horse enthusiasts, and her ability to capture the essence of these magnificent animals has earned her a loyal following.
In addition to her talent as an artist, Lorna is also a qualified tutor and holds a City and Guilds level 4 PTLLS teaching qualification. Her love for art and her passion for teaching combine to make her an exceptional educator
Overall, Lorna Lancaster is a gifted equine artist who has made a significant impact in the world of equestrian art. Her passion for horses and her talent as an artist shine through in her work, and she continues to inspire and captivate art lovers around the world.
Darren Carey
“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.”
Darren Carey is a talented artist who specialises in traditional paintings of landscapes, cityscapes, and animals. With over 35 years of experience in the field, he has established himself as a respected and accomplished artist in the UK and beyond.
Based in Suffolk, Darren’s work is heavily influenced by the natural beauty of the countryside that surrounds him. His paintings capture the essence of the landscape, with an emphasis on the play of light and shadow and the interplay of colours. He is equally adept at portraying the hustle and bustle of city life, with his paintings of London cityscapes being particularly popular.
One of the unique features of Darren’s work is his ability to create a sense of atmosphere and mood in his paintings. His pieces are known for evoking a range of emotions, from serenity and calm to excitement and energy. He achieves this through the use of bold brushstrokes, vivid colours, and intricate detailing.
Darren works primarily with gouache and watercolour, which he uses to create vibrant and textured paintings with depth and dimension. His skillful use of these mediums allows him to bring his subjects to life and capture their true essence.
Throughout his career, Darren has exhibited his work in various prestigious galleries, including those in Chelsea, London, and New York. He has also spent time in Paris, where he found inspiration for many of his paintings. His work can be found in galleries throughout the UK, where it is highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
In conclusion, Darren Carey is a talented artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of traditional painting. His ability to capture the natural elements and evoke emotion through his paintings is truly remarkable, and his work is sure to be admired and appreciated for years to come.
Kalpana Soanes
“Creating artwork gives me a sense of freedom, it’s an amazing feeling and I hope that someone looking at my paintings also experiences the same happiness.”
Kalpana Soanes grew up sketching pictures in the sand on the shores of East Africa. However, this simple existence was short-lived. Her flamboyant style had begun to draw crowds. Naturally, she took commissions. Not for money, just cake, or simply, compliments. She developed her skills every single day, experimented with new techniques and frequently sketched pictures in public. Spurred on by the interest it generated, Kalpana started selling her artwork at a very young age. She liaised with local businesses and soon her work was scattered all over the world. Next, she enjoyed an exciting career in computers, worked and lived in different countries in Europe and abroad for several years. However, something was not right. She missed the good old days. Eventually, her inner artist broke free of corporate serfdom. Now based in a quaint British village, Kalpana Soanes is a full-time artist. Her work involves acrylics and oils on canvas, often accentuated with mixed media.
Kalpana is known for her vibrant and dynamic abstract paintings. Her work often features squares of contrasting colours, creating a mesmerising and intriguing effect. Her use of bold hues adds an element of liveliness and energy to her pieces, making them stand out from the crowd.
In addition to her use of vibrant colours, her abstract landscapes are also full of life and movement. She expertly captures the essence of natural scenes, creating a sense of depth and texture. Her paintings are a true testament to her passion for the natural world and her desire to express it through her art.
Despite her success, Kalpana remains humble and dedicated to her craft. Her work serves as a testament to the power of passion and dedication, inspiring others to pursue their own creative endeavours with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment.
Jo Ellis
“Being an artist encourages me to pay more attention to the world around me”
Jo Ellis is an artist with a diverse range of styles, reflecting her global experiences and artistic training. Born in Hong Kong, she moved to the UK in 1970, and has since lived and travelled extensively around the world, including New Zealand, Sudan, Tanzania, Pakistan, South Korea, Egypt, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Ellis has a background in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, which she studied in Hong Kong and Korea, as well as in art and design, which she studied in London.
Jo’s art is characterised by its variety of styles and media, ranging from naive collages to traditional Chinese-style paintings and beyond. Her naive collages are colourful and whimsical, often featuring playful imagery. Jo’s traditional Chinese-style paintings are more understated, with a focus on brushwork, composition, and the interplay of negative space. Her other works range from bold geometric forms to delicate impressionism, and often feature a mix of media including paint, ink, and collage.
What ties all of Jo’s work together is her unique perspective, informed by her extensive travels and diverse experiences. Her art is often inspired by the people, cultures, and landscapes she has encountered in her journeys, and she seeks to express the essence of these experiences in her work. She has held solo exhibitions around the world, showcasing her varied styles and the breadth of her artistic vision.
Overall, Jo is an artist with a deep appreciation for the diversity of the world around her, and her art reflects this in its wide range of styles and influences. Whether working in a traditional Chinese style or exploring abstract expressionism, Jo’s art is always characterised by a sense of wonder and a celebration of life’s many forms.
Stewart Wilson
“I am not an artist who is controlled by the outside world. My studio is where I can set my own creativity in solitude with the help of a little Merlot and Music”
Stewart Wilson is a talented artist known for his impressionistic oil paintings that feature bright, intense colours and capture the essence of the scenes he depicts. His work spans a variety of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, florals, and seascapes.
Stewart’s artistic journey began after working in the fashion industry in design and branding for many years. He returned to his original roots and opened his studio in Derbyshire over a decade ago, where he has been honing his craft ever since.
One of Stewart’s signature techniques is painting with knives and fingers, which gives his work an emotional, textured feel that really stands out on the canvas. His use of bold, bright colours and the play of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and movement in his paintings that draws the viewer in.
Stewart’s work has gained recognition and is represented in many galleries, both nationally and internationally. His paintings have been sold to collectors from all over the world, including a beach bar in Tasmania, which speaks to the universal appeal of his art.
Whether he’s capturing the serenity of a rural landscape, the bustle of a busy city street, the delicacy of a floral arrangement, or the power of the ocean, Stewart Wilson’s paintings are a celebration of life and the beauty that surrounds us.
