@stephweaverart
Topsham mixed media, painting, printmaking East DevonI love living close to the beautiful river Exe where I have lived for 6 years and, where I am constantly inspired to create! In 2021, I left a career in nursing to combine caring for family with following a long held dream to make art. I gained an Access to HE Diploma in Art and Design, followed a Foundation Degree in Fine Art (Distinction). Last year I completed the year long Studio Practice course at Newlyn School of Art where I created and exhibited a body of work on the landscape from an elevated perspective. Looking down out of a small plane, I saw rugged cliffs, crashing waves, distorted horizons, mesmerising and ancient field systems. Turquoises and ochres merge with greys, greens; light and shade - elemental and textural work where preparation of surfaces takes as long as the finished piece.
Prior to Devon living, I spent 30 years in West Cornwall where I became immersed in the landscape working as a health visitor as well as walking and documenting the coast path.
I still love to walk the Southwest coast path, mostly now in Devon and Dorset where I spend lots of time observing, sketching, photographing and gathering found objects including earth pigments. I create seascapes and landscapes, sometimes combining still life into the mix; loving the crossover between realism and abstraction.
A sustainable approach to art is important. As well as oil paint, I am also exploring other mediums such as raw pigment, collected earth pigment and using homemade egg tempera on homemade gesso bases.
I am passionate about the contribution of art to our state of well being. I have experienced this on a personal level and have also seen its positive benefits on better health outcomes when working with groups in the community.
