See our Artists biographies:-
(A-Z by first name).
Barbara Flanagan
Biography
Barbara was born in St. Columb and moved to Padstow in the 70’s after marrying a Padstow man. Her other interests are bell ringing and
swimming.
Barbara joined the Art Group in 2007, after taking up painting again on her retirement. She enjoys learning new skills and has taken
many classes, discovering many mediums The art group has given me new friends and the confidence to continue exploring my love of art.
Style
Barbara has a varied style and has always taken great inspiration from the surrounding Countryside, cliffs and beaches. Her favourite
mediums are watercolour and Acrylic. She says painting has given me enormous pleasure and I will never forget the thrill when I sold my first painting.
Inspirations
Some of Barbara’s favourite paintings are by artists Edward Seago and Monet which have the style she is aspiring to
Commissions
Barbara undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Bonita (Tiny) Vivian
Details to follow
Debbie – Marie Henshaw
Biography
Cornish born artist, Debbie, grew up in Porthcothan, she explored the beautiful Bay, in all weathers. Developed her love of painting big
dramatic, stormy seascapes The evolving seasons, the colours and hues create the atmosphere. Debbie’s paintings connect emotion, colour to create beautiful addition to your home.
Style
Debbie’s heart and soul are poured into her art. Her passion shines in the brushstrokes her intriguing use of palette knives create depth.
Debbie is modest about her powerful expressive emotion drawn from her deep-rooted spirituality. In her paintings, you soon experience the palpable, passion and links develop between her art and your heart. You are instantly transported into another world so take the moment, what do you think, and feel, when you smile and experience the moment.
Debbie is in awe of the natural power generated from the wind; lightning strikes, you can see she feels the sensations of a brewing
storm deeply. The atmospheric mood, the light of the sun or moonlight. feature strongly. Her art freely transports you away to experience a new vista, stop a moment to explore stunning Cornish coastlines through her eyes, can you feel the movement of the wind and sea, the thought of being lost in time and tide.
Debbie is inspired by the majesty of the old ships, the talent of the shipwrights and boat builders of yesteryear like her grsndfather. The legacy we leave for others to cherish.
Debbie says when painting, I am not simply recreating an ‘arty’ movement, the truth is I am absorbed or lost in the painting. I don’t speak;
I just must paint! I’m obsessed the colours seem larger than life. I strive to showcase incredible but subtle details we might view on the surface
but not see. Come closer, look deeper, what do you see or feel?
Inspiration
Debbie’s paintings feature the power and majesty of Mother Nature, expressive skies combined with incredible seas, feature heavily in her
work. Debbie adores the sea and loves exploring the majesty of the natural world.
Debbie loves to see artists use colour to great effect, amongst her favourite artists are Julie Dumbarton, Joe Armstrong, Tamsin Dearing, Sarah Cowen, Peter Monamy, Joesph Mallord William Turner, Agnes Hawkins, Vashti Trudeau Nicholas St John Rosse Tony Forest and Mike Haywood
each use a different palette and technique.
Commissions
Debbie undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Derek Lindsey
Derek is a founder member of the Padstow Art Group formed in 1978. His father set up the art and craft group
Derek was born and bought up in Padstow and spent the greater part of his life around the harbour and boats. He worked for many years
in his father’s boat building yard. His main interest in painting is of the many seascapes around the beautiful coast of Cornwall
Style
Derek paints mainly in Acrylics but also works in pastels, watercolours and oils.
Inspiration
Derek’s love for the sea goes back many years to when he was a a young lad, and at that age all his work was about his interpretations of
the sea and coast he mainly paints seascapes and boats.
Commissions
Derek undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Dinah Peplar
Biography
Dinah used to live at Hawkers Cove, in the Pilots cottages with her fisherman husband, Pep, overlooking Tregirls Bay, this view features
in some of Dinah’s art. Dinah has moved to Trevone Bay.
Style
Dinah has always loved to draw and paint, but family and jobs made this difficult. Since she retired, Dinah has been able to spend a lot
of time painting. Dinah has always painted with watercolours and really enjoyed this media; but for her birthday one year her husband gave her some pastels, and she has been hooked ever since.
Inspiration
Dinah takes her inspiration from the years of living at Hawkers Cove with its ever-changing views.
Commissions
Dinah undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Jane Scorah
Jill Biddick
Biography
Jill has been painting for many years and enjoys the challenge of painting in all mediums. She has been an Adult Education Tutor
teaching watercolours for beginners. Jill embarked on an A Level course in Art and Design which taught her to think outside the box.
Style
She has great fun as she experiments with Oils and Acrylics using a palette knife this produced such a textured result she went onto
develop this idea in her own best loved subject, the north Cornwall
Inspiration
Jill is inspired to keep trying new styles and have fun!
Commissions
Jill undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Julia Prior
Biography
After a career in the designer fashion industry working for Betty Jackson in London, Julia moved to Padstow where she married and has two
children
Julia joined the Padstow Art Group in 2007 as a relative beginner and has developed her style working in acrylics and then oils and
mixed media in mostly coastal views and semi abstract representations.
Living in Cornwall exposes her to the raw and natural coastline. Walking along the costal paths often triggers a feeling or an
emotion which becomes my starting point for the painting.
The ever-changing moods of the sea and sky inspires me , the beauty of the colours and the light that plays between them. She experiments
with paint and colour and try to capture the essences of the places she has visited, and she hopes that they evoke a memory or sentiment for the viewer.
It is the relationship between the Sea and the sky and the vastness and freedom of them both that she hopes to portray.
Style
Julia paints in acrylic oil and mixed media and has recently introduced resin and ink into her pictures which gives a new twist to the
texture and radiance of her work.
Inspirations
Some of Julia’s favourite paintings are the atmospheric oils by JMW Turner and New Zealand’s Doreen McNeill. Whose use of colour in her
abstract work is simply stunning.
Commissions
Julia undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Biography
On retirement from the NHS I have followed in the footsteps of my mum, who was a member of the Padstow Art Group.
Style
I have found the group a much-needed place of support and encouragement and although still a relative ‘beginner’ I find great enjoyment
in watercolour and more recently developing my own style in acrylics.
Inspiration
Having always had an interest in art and with keen artists in my family – my mum, my sister and my daughter,
Linda Dakin
Biography
Linda Dakin is originally from Accrington, Lancashire. In the 60’s, her parents moved south with her and her brother to manage their new
business, which consisted of a village store, garage, and Post Office at St. Breward, “the highest village in Cornwall,” near Bodmin Moor. Later, they also acquired a mobile shop to serve outlying farmsteads and hamlets.
Style
Linda is beginning her journey in art. She joined the Padstow Art Group in March 2024. Initially, she experimented with watercolour painting, then moved on to pastel pictures, and now plans to seriously try acrylic paints. Having gathered all the necessary materials, she has no excuses left. Currently, she is enjoying art classes and appreciates the useful, encouraging feedback from her tutor.
Inspirations
The natural landscape and freedom to explore were significant sources of inspiration for Linda. From the window of their home, a distant view of the silvery River Camel estuary leading to the sea near Padstow could be seen. In the 70’s, her family relocated to Harlyn Bay, near Padstow.
Her teenage years were spent at the beach, enjoying seascape views, coastal paths lined with wildflowers, slate cliffs, and mussel-covered rocks. Though she hasn’t travelled extensively, she spent a year near London and two years in the Lake District, where she joined a Sunday ramblers’ group and saw a lot of landscapes. She holidayed in the Algarve and in 1988 travelled to Australia for a year. Additionally, she flew from Newquay to Cork with her son and explored Kerry’s Mountain ribbon road scenery. These experiences have provided her with abundant
artistic inspiration.
Maureen Bennett
Biography
Maureen was born and brought up in Padstow. She decided to do some Artwork a few years before she retired. And this has proven to be a
wonderful pastime.
Style
Maureen started painting in a friend’s studio and was then introduced to the St. Ives School of Art where she attended drop-in days where
she learnt new techniques.
Peter Henshaw
Biography
The creative process and challenge it takes to create a balanced painting is heightened as Peter is Colour blind, but his use of colour
is breathtaking. He moved to Cornwall in the late 80’s, he loves the Countryside and exploring the magnificent Coastal views from the land, in his younger days he loved to sail and has a better understanding of the sea and sails.
Style
Peter prefers pastels; however, he is determined to master mixing colours in other mediums, recently he experimented very successfully
with watercolours and Acrylic. He is hoping to soon buy oil paints to once again challenge himself!
Inspiration
Peter’s art schoolteacher told him to give up Art as he wasn’t good enough! In the late 80’s Peter joined Padstow Art and Craft group,
under the tutorage of Jim Lennon, Peter learnt to paint buildings birds and small animals using Acrylics. Jim said everyone always criticises art, if you can’t’ paint you should always try to paint something you are familiar with.
Peter’s love of boats shines through as he depicts sailing boats in pastels, he has a distinct passion for painting and is determined to master new techniques
The Artists that Peter admires are Turner, Vashti Trudeau, Andrew Hcuklesberry, Tony Forest and Nicholas St John Rosse
Sandy Trerise
Biography
Sandy has always been interested in art ever since childhood and dabbled in it here and there, but on returning from living abroad and
caring full time for her mother for a few years she decided it was time to indulge herself.
After visiting an exhibition a few years ago she was attracted to the medium of pastels because of the clarity of the colours and decided to give them a try, after that was no turning back!
Style
Her love for animals, especially wildlife and the big cats have influenced her work.
Local scenes need the same amount of detail as animals she depicts local street scenes like Padstow, Port Issac etc.
Inspirations
As well as local characters she has a handful of grandchildren whom she loved to paint along with other children enjoying the
summer on the beach.
Commissions
Sandy undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Sarah Thorneycroft
Biography
Sarah has lived and worked in Cornwall since 1990 and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Apart from painting, her other hobbies include
gardening, walking, reading and travel.
Sarah has been painting for more than 20 years with Padstow Art Group, and in this time has completed an A level in Art. She would love to
study the subject in more depth.
Style
Sarah specialises in oil landscapes and seascapes, ‘painted’ with a palette knife. Sarah loves using vibrant colours in her artwork and this
is reflected in her work today.
Inspirations
Her favourite local artists are John Piper and Kurt Jackson and her palette is reminiscent of the Scottish Colourists whose work she loves.
Commissions
Sarah undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Tracey Tigwell
Biography
Tracey has always had a passion for painting, but it wasn’t until she moved to Padstow and joined the Padstow Art Group in 2021 that she
truly found a passion for painting seascapes. She specialises in capturing the beauty of landscapes, with a particular focus on the captivating
Cornish coastline.
Style
Tracey is a passionate oil painter and wants to create a connection between the viewer and the coastal environment. Her style is characterised by a harmonious blend of realism and impressionism. She believes that by using vibrant colours and capturing the play of light and shadow, she
can evoke a sense of calm and serenity in those who view her work.
Inspirations
I love living in Cornwall which has blessed me with endless opportunities to witness the way the land, sea, and sky change with the
seasons. It is during walks along the rugged North coast cliffs that I find my greatest inspiration.
Commissions
Tracey undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application
Wendy Lindsey
Biography
Wendy was brought up In Trevone and grew up running barefoot exploring the sandy and rocky bays, with the salt air in her hair she was
fascinated by the delicate flowers that blossomed in the wake of the stormy sea air.
Wendy was one of the founder members of Padstow Art Group formed in 1978. She was also encouraged to paint by local artist and tutor Jim
Lennon.
Style
Wendy enjoys painting in watercolour and pastel and has just started experimenting with Acrylics. She enjoys painting landscapes and
love to paint the detail of the delicate flowers that feature heavily in her art.
Inspiration
She pays close attention to detail and her paintings take months to complete her favourite subjects are Cornwall’s cheeky puffins and the
elusive seahorses that she used to see in and around her beloved Trevone.
Zena Preen
Biography
Local amateur artist Zena’s, paintings often are depicting the coast with dramatic views of the land sea and sky. Zena paints using mixed
media, acrylic watercolour and soft pastel. Creating paintings of local scenes for your pleasure. She has been painting with Padstow Art Group since 2005. When not creating a painting, Zena can be found walking, with her beloved dogs. Exploring the area, gathering inspiration for her paintings.
Style
Zena takes her inspiration from local scenery. Her recent works of art included quirky trees. She uses a variety of mediums from mixed
media to acrylic, to watercolours and even soft pastels. Zena Boldy explores colour in a variety of styles. You can see, Zena enjoys challenging herself with her style and attention to detail, combined to makes sure the public explore her art ensuring they have really seen and understood the paintings.
Inspirations
Some of Zena’s favourite paintings are by renowned artists.
Michael Morgan (water colourist). He was a member of the Royal Institute of Painters, in Watercolours. A founder of the Southwest Academy. He held the coveted RI Medal, awarded for his outstanding work, as well as the Rowland Hilder Landscape Prize.
Peter Worswick, an Honorary member of the International Guild of Artists. Zena enjoys his landscapes.
The evocative style of Fabian Perez, prestigious Artist of the Year 2014 award from the Italian Academy of Artists and the highly coveted
Art Tour International Magazine Master of Contemporary Art’ award. As one of the foremost figurative artists of our time Fabian is another artist Zena admires.
Closer to home, Zena favours Cornish artist, Kurt Jackson. He paints in mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Cornish landscape around
Penwith in Cornwall.
Commissions
Zena undertakes commissions and would be delighted to discuss any specific requirements you may have. Sizes, shapes and prices vary
from small paintings to large paintings. Price on application.