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PREVIOUS ARTISTS 2023
Shown below are artists who took part in the Cookham & Maidenhead Arts Trail in 2023. Click on the images for further information.
Amanda Nester
Venue 7
Amanda is a qualified Illustrator and Fine Artist. She works in a figurative style in both watercolour and oils and her painting is inspired by the landscape, architecture and people around her. Light and colour fill her vibrant paintings as she draws the viewer into an often overlooked world of intricate beauty.
Amanda's work has been shown at major galleries in Birmingham and London and she also exhibits locally several times a year.
Amanda is a qualified Illustrator and Fine Artist. She works in a figurative style in both watercolour and oils and her painting is inspired by the landscape, architecture and people around her. Light and colour fill her vibrant paintings as she draws the viewer into an often overlooked world of intricate beauty.
Amanda's work has been shown at major galleries in Birmingham and London and she also exhibits locally several times a year.
Amy Lovell
Venue 15
Amy is a figure and portrait artist, working primarily in oil paints, pastels, and charcoal. She aims to express a person's likeness or essence, not only in their bone structure and colouring, but also in their posture and body language. She enjoys working with multiple figures, focussing on the interplay between characters and their setting, and she delights in capturing pleasing moments of light, colour or composition in scenes that might not typically be thought of as beautiful.
Amy loved painting and drawing as a child and at school, but then did very little artwork for years as she focused on her non-creative career and her family. In the last year she has made a conscious decision to dedicate time to her artistic practice.
Amy is a figure and portrait artist, working primarily in oil paints, pastels, and charcoal. She aims to express a person's likeness or essence, not only in their bone structure and colouring, but also in their posture and body language. She enjoys working with multiple figures, focussing on the interplay between characters and their setting, and she delights in capturing pleasing moments of light, colour or composition in scenes that might not typically be thought of as beautiful.
Amy loved painting and drawing as a child and at school, but then did very little artwork for years as she focused on her non-creative career and her family. In the last year she has made a conscious decision to dedicate time to her artistic practice.
Claire Rollinson
Venue 16
Claire’s art practice is long and constantly evolving. She has worked with mono printing, collage, film, modelling, illustration, painting in oils and water colours and inks.
In 2020 she started an approach to painting she calls “Towards Loving You”. She moved completely away from representation and started working with water-colour. She chose a simple form on which to base her work; the square. This was a bid to free her work from the burden of meaning and instead to create a colour sensation where the viewer can take a break from the clamour of competing attention demands and return to the greater self. A space for contemplation.
Claire’s art practice is long and constantly evolving. She has worked with mono printing, collage, film, modelling, illustration, painting in oils and water colours and inks.
In 2020 she started an approach to painting she calls “Towards Loving You”. She moved completely away from representation and started working with water-colour. She chose a simple form on which to base her work; the square. This was a bid to free her work from the burden of meaning and instead to create a colour sensation where the viewer can take a break from the clamour of competing attention demands and return to the greater self. A space for contemplation.
Clare Buchta
Venue 18
Clare is an award winning artist who specialises in land and seascapes of the British isles
Clare has developed a unique style of painting in oils, which uses thin layers to allow light to move through the painting.
Clare also specialises in a technique called monoprinting .This is well suited to the landscapes and seascapes Clare likes to portray.
Sketching on a windy cliff or beside a still lake or river provides inspiration to create her paintings back home in the studio. Clare is often up early to capture the light of sunrise on a scene, or chasing the end of the day for dramatic shadows and skies.
Clare’s work is in collections in the UK and abroad
Clare is an award winning artist who specialises in land and seascapes of the British isles
Clare has developed a unique style of painting in oils, which uses thin layers to allow light to move through the painting.
Clare also specialises in a technique called monoprinting .This is well suited to the landscapes and seascapes Clare likes to portray.
Sketching on a windy cliff or beside a still lake or river provides inspiration to create her paintings back home in the studio. Clare is often up early to capture the light of sunrise on a scene, or chasing the end of the day for dramatic shadows and skies.
Clare’s work is in collections in the UK and abroad
DanaKidson
Venue 9
Contemporary jewellery that references both antique and modern ideas, many pieces feature gemstones - juicy oversized specimens or tiny sugary crystals - as well as fossils and wood that are transformed into sometimes playful, sometimes severe, wearable objects.
Contemporary jewellery that references both antique and modern ideas, many pieces feature gemstones - juicy oversized specimens or tiny sugary crystals - as well as fossils and wood that are transformed into sometimes playful, sometimes severe, wearable objects.
Dawn Carroll
Venue 9
Dawn is interested in natures messages and our connection to it. Wether it was a chance meeting with a robin or the feeling of the vast night skies. Each experience has a message or feeling that is interpreted in her work.
Dawn is interested in natures messages and our connection to it. Wether it was a chance meeting with a robin or the feeling of the vast night skies. Each experience has a message or feeling that is interpreted in her work.
Delyth Rees-Davies
Venue 16
I paint intuitively in a fluid manner. Each brush stroke directly informing the next . This is a highly sensitive process, it develops organically over time by building up and scraping back layers of mixed media, sand and oil paint . This creates lines, marks, colours and textures that reveal traces of the works history .
I paint intuitively in a fluid manner. Each brush stroke directly informing the next . This is a highly sensitive process, it develops organically over time by building up and scraping back layers of mixed media, sand and oil paint . This creates lines, marks, colours and textures that reveal traces of the works history .
Diane Large
Venue 9
Diane has been involved with art all her life since studying graphic design at art college and then printmaking and textile design and she is now a painter, exhibiting locally and internationally
Diane has been involved with art all her life since studying graphic design at art college and then printmaking and textile design and she is now a painter, exhibiting locally and internationally
DonnaWhite
Venue 13
Donna White has had over 50 years art experience, including a university degree, and a higher education diploma. She is in a book on South African art, and has exhibited on a number of National exhibitions both in South Africa and the UK, including the Royal Academy Summer Show, the Royal West of England Autumn Show, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in London. She has had numerous solo shows and has taught art to both adults and children, as well as judging a number of art competitions.
Donna White has had over 50 years art experience, including a university degree, and a higher education diploma. She is in a book on South African art, and has exhibited on a number of National exhibitions both in South Africa and the UK, including the Royal Academy Summer Show, the Royal West of England Autumn Show, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in London. She has had numerous solo shows and has taught art to both adults and children, as well as judging a number of art competitions.
Dorothea Reid
Venue 9
Dorothea Reid makes a range of functional and decorative ceramics and sculpture, including work suitable for the garden. She is also a printmaker. Much of her work is about the fragility of the marine environment and the need for greater conservation measures to protect our seas.
She completed an MA (Ceramics) in 2015 using print and clay to create political work about marine ecology. She has exhibited this work in the UK and Denmark.
She works from her studio at home in South Bucks, and the print studio at Amersham College. She is a member of Bucks Pottery and Sculpture Society, West Forest Potters, and the Bucks Craft Guild.
Dorothea Reid makes a range of functional and decorative ceramics and sculpture, including work suitable for the garden. She is also a printmaker. Much of her work is about the fragility of the marine environment and the need for greater conservation measures to protect our seas.
She completed an MA (Ceramics) in 2015 using print and clay to create political work about marine ecology. She has exhibited this work in the UK and Denmark.
She works from her studio at home in South Bucks, and the print studio at Amersham College. She is a member of Bucks Pottery and Sculpture Society, West Forest Potters, and the Bucks Craft Guild.
Grant Forsyth
Venue 9
Handmade silver, gold and natural gemstone jewellery, A locally based art based Jeweller specialising in Silver, gold and natural gems, using nature as a base for his designs but creating pieces that ask to be explored further using hidden elements, focal gemstones and texture.
Handmade silver, gold and natural gemstone jewellery, A locally based art based Jeweller specialising in Silver, gold and natural gems, using nature as a base for his designs but creating pieces that ask to be explored further using hidden elements, focal gemstones and texture.
Harry Vikatos
Venue 19
Harry paints using traditional mediums and techniques, both water and oil based, small scale on paper or board. Interested in the play of light, colour and form on both figurative and abstract approaches.
Harry paints using traditional mediums and techniques, both water and oil based, small scale on paper or board. Interested in the play of light, colour and form on both figurative and abstract approaches.
Helen Ormerod
Venue 1
Helen has been making pots for twenty five years at her studio in Crowthorne.
She makes bowls, vases and a range of candle holders. She is inspired by natural organic shapes and she incorporates these shapes in a range of outdoor sculptures.
Her pottery is hand built using coils and slabs which are decorated with oxides, coloured slips and a variety of glazes. She has recently introduced a range of thrown bowls and vases. Everything is fired to 1280 degrees making it very hard wearing and frost proof.
Helen has been making pots for twenty five years at her studio in Crowthorne.
She makes bowls, vases and a range of candle holders. She is inspired by natural organic shapes and she incorporates these shapes in a range of outdoor sculptures.
Her pottery is hand built using coils and slabs which are decorated with oxides, coloured slips and a variety of glazes. She has recently introduced a range of thrown bowls and vases. Everything is fired to 1280 degrees making it very hard wearing and frost proof.
Howard Chetwood
Venue 8
Howard has been painting for over 20 years mainly in pastels until 4 years ago when his daughter encouraged him to take up oils. He has enjoyed this new medium which has enabled him to explore atmosphere and colour.
Howard has been painting for over 20 years mainly in pastels until 4 years ago when his daughter encouraged him to take up oils. He has enjoyed this new medium which has enabled him to explore atmosphere and colour.
Inge du Plessis
Venue 2
Inge’s style is figurative; representational yet relishing the texture and movement of brush and oil paint.
She says, “This feels like a time of rapid growth as a painter. I am learning so much about technique, yet, perhaps thanks to growing older, I also feel more relieved from the constant tug toward realism.”
Her work deals with memory, retelling stories and making visual connections between events and perceptions. Sometimes reimagining history.
In terms of subject matter, most of her paintings involve people within a suggested narrative. Her paintings represent a condensed allegory, history or tale, suggesting action that preceded the moment or something that is about to happen. She also uses a language of private visual symbolism - objects and elements alive with history and association.
She has a fondness for portraiture, often painting self-portraits.
For her process, she relies on visual, rather than verbal concepts to start a series or, if there is an idea she wants to pursue, it is broad and overarching rather than specific to each painting. More often than not, an idea or meaning clarifies itself through the process of painting and visual decision making.
Inge’s style is figurative; representational yet relishing the texture and movement of brush and oil paint.
She says, “This feels like a time of rapid growth as a painter. I am learning so much about technique, yet, perhaps thanks to growing older, I also feel more relieved from the constant tug toward realism.”
Her work deals with memory, retelling stories and making visual connections between events and perceptions. Sometimes reimagining history.
In terms of subject matter, most of her paintings involve people within a suggested narrative. Her paintings represent a condensed allegory, history or tale, suggesting action that preceded the moment or something that is about to happen. She also uses a language of private visual symbolism - objects and elements alive with history and association.
She has a fondness for portraiture, often painting self-portraits.
For her process, she relies on visual, rather than verbal concepts to start a series or, if there is an idea she wants to pursue, it is broad and overarching rather than specific to each painting. More often than not, an idea or meaning clarifies itself through the process of painting and visual decision making.
Inge Hutchins
Venue 4
My pots are often inspired by very old cultures and very organic.
My pots are often inspired by very old cultures and very organic.
Jayne Leighton Herd
Venue 1
Jayne Leighton Herd is a professional artist based in Wokingham, Berkshire. She paints statement abstract & landscape art full of colour, passion, emotion & energy. Jayne welcomes commissions for bespoke art for both residential & commercial projects.
Jayne Leighton Herd is a professional artist based in Wokingham, Berkshire. She paints statement abstract & landscape art full of colour, passion, emotion & energy. Jayne welcomes commissions for bespoke art for both residential & commercial projects.
Jeanne Stiff
Venue 4
Jeanne studied as a mature student for her Ceramics B.A (Harrow) and M.A. (Farnham) and a PGCHE. Her pots are thrown and turned on the wheel using a semi-porcelain clay, work is both functional and decorative. Flora and fauna have been a recurring theme in her work also chasing copper reds in oxidation! The magic and mystery of the kiln gives forth the final creations. The glazes flourish in the firing, culminating in an inflorescence of mystical blooms, perennial on every piece, the 'blood of life is also symbolic in the fired work.
Jeanne also teaches from her Maidenhead Studio and at Brunel University Arts Centre. Previously she taught Adult Education Classes for Surrey County Council. She also takes pottery into Care Homes, Schools and Girl Guide Groups.
Jeanne studied as a mature student for her Ceramics B.A (Harrow) and M.A. (Farnham) and a PGCHE. Her pots are thrown and turned on the wheel using a semi-porcelain clay, work is both functional and decorative. Flora and fauna have been a recurring theme in her work also chasing copper reds in oxidation! The magic and mystery of the kiln gives forth the final creations. The glazes flourish in the firing, culminating in an inflorescence of mystical blooms, perennial on every piece, the 'blood of life is also symbolic in the fired work.
Jeanne also teaches from her Maidenhead Studio and at Brunel University Arts Centre. Previously she taught Adult Education Classes for Surrey County Council. She also takes pottery into Care Homes, Schools and Girl Guide Groups.
Jill Chadwick
Venue 18
My passion for glass and colour started almost 30 years ago. I love to explore the endless possibilities of working in glass and relish the anticipation of opening the kiln to see a new creation or creating a stained-glass window design for a customer. I make fused glass artworks and stained glass and am happy to take commissions.
www.chadwick-art.co.uk
My passion for glass and colour started almost 30 years ago. I love to explore the endless possibilities of working in glass and relish the anticipation of opening the kiln to see a new creation or creating a stained-glass window design for a customer. I make fused glass artworks and stained glass and am happy to take commissions.
www.chadwick-art.co.uk
Jo Hall
Venue 17
A former biologist Jo continues to find inspiration in the natural world and in the changing face of the landscape, where nature softens the appearance of derelicts, domestic and industrial. Favoured media include charcoal, pastel, watercolour and acrylic sometimes with elements of collage. Much of Jo’s work is rooted in observation but experimenting with materials often leads to a more playful and imaginative approach with landscape, still life and more abstract colour studies.
Recent works reflect her travels to Morocco and Italy and the Yorkshire countryside around Malham and Settle, using her sketchbook and photographic record as an invaluable resource.
Jo is an Honorary and Past President of the Society of Graphic Fine Art, with whom she exhibits regularly, and earlier in the year showed landscape works selected for the Society’s open exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London. She tutors adults locally and publishes a practical art challenge each week on the Blog page of her web site.
Jo Hall
Hon and PPSGFA, AOI
A former biologist Jo continues to find inspiration in the natural world and in the changing face of the landscape, where nature softens the appearance of derelicts, domestic and industrial. Favoured media include charcoal, pastel, watercolour and acrylic sometimes with elements of collage. Much of Jo’s work is rooted in observation but experimenting with materials often leads to a more playful and imaginative approach with landscape, still life and more abstract colour studies.
Recent works reflect her travels to Morocco and Italy and the Yorkshire countryside around Malham and Settle, using her sketchbook and photographic record as an invaluable resource.
Jo is an Honorary and Past President of the Society of Graphic Fine Art, with whom she exhibits regularly, and earlier in the year showed landscape works selected for the Society’s open exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London. She tutors adults locally and publishes a practical art challenge each week on the Blog page of her web site.
Jo Hall
Hon and PPSGFA, AOI
John Percy
Venue 16
There is a strong parallel between abstract painting and composing music. The composer arranges sounds varying in pitch and tone, arranged in a certain order to achieve harmony, rhythm and melody. The only place it can originate is in the composer’s imagination. In painting we use marks and colours. Harmony, rhythm, movement and space, are essential formal ends to achieve and meaning exists in the intention of the artist or composer and hopefully in the eye, ear and intellect of the viewer or listener.
John aims to make paintings that must stand in their own right as paintings and are not pictures of something. They are enigmatic, contemplative objects, carrying a certain poetic power and, at the same time, something that is a statement of personal ideals and an expression of his sense of the orderly disorder around us, the continual struggle between necessary social order and desirable personal anarchy.
There is a strong parallel between abstract painting and composing music. The composer arranges sounds varying in pitch and tone, arranged in a certain order to achieve harmony, rhythm and melody. The only place it can originate is in the composer’s imagination. In painting we use marks and colours. Harmony, rhythm, movement and space, are essential formal ends to achieve and meaning exists in the intention of the artist or composer and hopefully in the eye, ear and intellect of the viewer or listener.
John aims to make paintings that must stand in their own right as paintings and are not pictures of something. They are enigmatic, contemplative objects, carrying a certain poetic power and, at the same time, something that is a statement of personal ideals and an expression of his sense of the orderly disorder around us, the continual struggle between necessary social order and desirable personal anarchy.
Julia Coombes
Venue 1
Julia designs and creates unique hand crafted jewellery mostly in silver using traditional silversmithing techniques and also enjoys using pure silver metal clay. She is inspired by the natural world and the arts and her work often includes small, intricate or hidden details and creative use of texture.
Instagram / Facebook: @juliacoombesjewellery
Julia designs and creates unique hand crafted jewellery mostly in silver using traditional silversmithing techniques and also enjoys using pure silver metal clay. She is inspired by the natural world and the arts and her work often includes small, intricate or hidden details and creative use of texture.
Instagram / Facebook: @juliacoombesjewellery
Julie Bennett
Venue 2, 16
Julie Bennett creates bold, unapologetically confident portraits with an overly exaggerated painted surface as a juxtaposition to our digital world. Working mostly in oil, she captures the emotional state of the individual whether that is a fictional character, a friend, or a person of interest. The physicality of paint is central to her practice.
Julie Bennett creates bold, unapologetically confident portraits with an overly exaggerated painted surface as a juxtaposition to our digital world. Working mostly in oil, she captures the emotional state of the individual whether that is a fictional character, a friend, or a person of interest. The physicality of paint is central to her practice.
Karen Bolt
Venue 4
Karen works mainly with the extremes of fine porcelain and sandy crank, producing hand-built functional, decorative and sculptural pieces. Inspired by the shapes and colours found in her garden, North Cornwall’s rugged coast, rock pools and changing light, the texture of antique lace and coral and words that touch her.
Karen works mainly with the extremes of fine porcelain and sandy crank, producing hand-built functional, decorative and sculptural pieces. Inspired by the shapes and colours found in her garden, North Cornwall’s rugged coast, rock pools and changing light, the texture of antique lace and coral and words that touch her.
Kirsty Brooks
Venue 10
Kirsty Brooks studied architectural glass and painting at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 1995. Moving to London, she worked with a range of consultants, galleries and artists’ studios and began to develop her work in a responsive, site-specific way.
Kirsty creates site-specific commissioned artworks for public environments. Past commissions include a building façade for the National Film School in Ireland and a glass clock tower for Kirkstall in Leeds. She is currently creating a number of glass screens for urban landscapes in Southampton and also for the One Maidenhead development. This year she unveiled a commission for the Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead, created using found 35mm slides and archive images. She has recently been exploring printmaking and collage using found objects and images. These process-led experiments inform her commissioned work and are made as stand alone pieces.
Kirsty Brooks studied architectural glass and painting at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 1995. Moving to London, she worked with a range of consultants, galleries and artists’ studios and began to develop her work in a responsive, site-specific way.
Kirsty creates site-specific commissioned artworks for public environments. Past commissions include a building façade for the National Film School in Ireland and a glass clock tower for Kirkstall in Leeds. She is currently creating a number of glass screens for urban landscapes in Southampton and also for the One Maidenhead development. This year she unveiled a commission for the Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead, created using found 35mm slides and archive images. She has recently been exploring printmaking and collage using found objects and images. These process-led experiments inform her commissioned work and are made as stand alone pieces.
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