Cornwall / Artists
Image credits/ownership: Jack Doherty
Cornwall is home to some very creative artists. Here are some of our favourite artists.
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// porcelain / Ceramics Potter
Jack Doherty
Jack describes himself as being interested in the 'particular usefulness of things', the sense of an object as being something which has a function in the world. Challenging the rules of refinement and containment through the fluidity and energy of his work Jack's soda-fired vessels are embedded with ancient stories and contemporary narratives. They create an intervention with domestic space and daily life. No longer purely utilitarian, these abstract vessels do not conform to conventional use questioning their place in the world.
Jack Doherty works from his studio in Cornwall. He makes porcelain vessel forms that are thrown on the potter's wheel then carved and shaped when the clay is soft to reflect the fluidity of the material and physicality of making. The elemental colour and surface texture are created by the fusion of fire and soda in the intense heat of the kiln, leaving behind a subtle palette of smokey grey, lemon, russet and turquoise.
Over the years his working practice has become simpler and more refined in the belief that stripping away the unnecessary can produce work with complexity and depth. His work is made using one clay, one colouring mineral and a single firing with sodium bicarbonate.
“I live with ceramic vessels. Their forms and volume, edges and textures spill from the studio into every room. In these intimate living spaces the pots speak for themselves, displayed on ledges windowsills and mantelpieces, made in direct response to the architectural spaces of my home and studio.”
I loooove the fluidity of Jack's vessels; their simple shapes strip away the unnecessary, and only lets the colouring mineral speak for their innate beauty. Simply stunning. I am truly in awe.
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Tales From The Kiln
Image credits/ownership: Jack Doherty
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// Botanical Illustration
Botanical Atelier
Sarah’s passion for illustrating plants is very much inspired by living on the South Coast in Cornwall and frequent visits to her parents home in France. The natural progression from teaching hundreds of people Botanical Illustration at her workshops every year, and a love for aesthetic and functional products led to the launch of Botanical Atelier.
“The shop, in essence is a further commitment to my existing projects. Building a community of artists and like minded creatives in a calm and mindful space. Learn new skills, of an authentic and candid structure within the heart of Falmouth. I have an exciting programme of weekly Botanical Illustration workshops, with a focus on fundamental drawing skills and tips and techniques to take you through a wide range of mediums.”
Quite frankly, I am obsessed with the beauty and intricate details of Sarah’s illustrations. I already have my art supplies to hand, I just need to book my illustration workshop…
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Image credits/ownership: Botanical Atelier
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// Marine, Animal & Botanical Artist
Florence Super
Florence is fascinated with all wildlife and the ocean and is equally as excited to document her passion through creating radiant artwork. From a young age, growing up these loves were clearly evident with her first mackerel painting at age 3. Florence studied art at school where she first painted marine life onto recycled floorboards- little did she know that this would be such an influential landmark for her career as an Artist.
“I will be forever grateful for the faith put in me so early in my career to produce this wall of artwork. It certainly set the bar for my aspirations and determination to create and design with the smallest impact on the environment. My preference is to work onto recycled or reclaimed surfaces and use recycled paints where possible too. Inspiration comes to me through colours, culture, contrasts, movement and all wildlife experienced while travelling and diving around the world. All memories collected and each creation to date has molded me into the artist I am today.”
This absolutely stunning 5m x 3m mural resides in the Fisheries as an inviting visual insight as to what may be on the menu throughout their establishments. I am in love with the vibrant colours. Florence is such a talented artist.
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Image credits/ownership: Florence Super
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// Contemporary Paint Artist
Laura Menzies
Laura Menzies is a contemporary British painter based in Cornwall. She has exhibited extensively in the UK and internationally showing at Tate Modern, Tate St Ives and in 2019 she celebrated her first solo show. She is also a trained art teacher and educator and has taught at Falmouth University, St Ives School of Painting and The Eden Project among others.
“My lyrical, abstract paintings are like visual poems, spoken through constructs of memories, emotions and indirect references to place. These influences are not overt but are located on the edge of consciousness, gradually seeping in as the work evolves. I paint intuitively in a visceral and fluid manner, each brush stroke directly informing the next. This process is highly sensitive. It develops organically over time by building up and scraping back layers of oil paint, cold wax and mixed media to create a palimpsest of lines, colours and textures that reveal traces of the work’s history. ”
Laura’s paintings are sensory and evocative, the end result of looking, thinking and feeling. I am a fan! I’ve got my eye on one of her beautiful creations and I shall certainly book one of her workshops.
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Image credits/ownership: Laura Menzies
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// Jewellery Designer
Emily Nixon
Living in West Cornwall has shaped her work. Beach finds are tools in the process of her making. Emily loves the fabric-like twists and folds of seaweed; the diversity in the contours of pebbles; the weathered character of flotsam she sees washed up along the shore. This dichotomy of the precious and the organic – special stones encircled by sea-worn fragments of gold – characterises so much of her inspiration. Constant experimentation, playfulness and development of ideas, alongside a mindfulness of the relationship each piece has with the wearer, drives her creative process and output.
“Evolved from textures found along the tideline; luxuriously imperfect, naturally irregular…”
I am a huge huge fan of Emily Nixon. I simply adore her creations; the organic and natural shapes, the Cornish coastal connotations and her ability to reflect the colours of the ocean in her designs.
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Visit Emily’s shop
Image credits/ownership: Emily Nixon
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// Fused Glass Designer
Jo Downs
Jo Downs is one of the world’s most respected fused glass designers. Working from her Cornwall studio, Jo’s work draws inspiration from the beautiful coastal landscape while her advanced fusion techniques allow for the creation of abstract designs of great individuality and depth. Jo also runs workshops where you can get creative and have fun designing and making your own fused glass pieces.
“At Jo Downs we make every piece by hand, which means we can make one off commissions just for you...”
I looooove Jo's Marine Shoaling Fish Collection, and I proudly own a few pieces myself.
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Image credits/ownership: Jo Downs
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// Seascape Artist
Nina Brooke
Nina Brooke’s vibrant aerial perspectives evoke memories of being by the ocean and they create a focal point in any interior. Nina grew up by the sea, traveling between the rugged North Cornwall coast and the azure tropics of The Caribbean. From both sides of the Atlantic, the rolling storm swells and crystal-clear coves have played a fundamental role in her creative development. Working from her studio in Rock, Cornwall, she can practically hear the waves breaking and the scent of the sea filters into each colourful canvas.
I love Nina's ability to capture the sea in paint; skilfully showcasing colour and textural abstraction. It is just mesmerising.
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Image credits/ownership: Nina Brooke
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// Abstract Paint Artist
Sophie Capron
Sophie’s work focuses on the environment and it is ever evolving state, using reclaimed materials within her paintings. She exhibited in the International Biennale ‘Women in Contemporary Art’ in France 2017, represented Cornwall in Lorient 2014, and was selected to exhibit works in the Bazemore Gallery in Philadelphia. In 2019 she had her first major exhibition ‘Time Reclaimed’ at Artwave West.
Alongside her artist practice, she has been an active member of the Cornish artistic community, founding a series of artists talks and exhibitions under the banner of SMALL at the Old Bakery Studios.
“As a painter I have always been fascinated by how humans and nature interact and my art explores the processes that result from this dynamic relationship. In the all-too-often angry conversation between nature and humans, people can be too keen to praise immaculate facades and to attempt to silence the rust, rot and decay of daily life, but ever-changing nature will always have the loudest voice and, despite our efforts, we too leave telling marks of the scratches and scrapes of our lives.”
Sophie’s work is truly inspiring. I love how she expresses the human / nature interactions via the medium of abstract art. Take a look at her vivid and beautiful instagram full of vibrant creativity.
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Watch Story
Image credits/ownership: Sophie Capron
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// Resin Artist
Christine Richards
Born out of the rugged South-West Cornish coast, Christine draws her inspiration from the crystal clear and striking coastal landscapes of her surroundings. Originally working with acrylics she has discovered the intimate depth and detail of resin as a medium. This has resulted in fascinating creations inspired by the stark, deep colours of the Sea from an aerial perspective.
I became friends with Christine via Instagram. She creates the most stunning pieces of fluid art, I can just get lost in the vibrant colours and Cornish coastal scenes from an aerial perspective.
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Image credits/ownership: Christine Richards