Guests who stay at The Old Bakehouse can enjoy a new showcase of work by artists inspired by the beauty of our local landscape and wildlife.

This month we’re thrilled to hang a new collection by the amazing Seaton & District Art Society to coincide with the society’s 53rd annual Art Exhibition, which is being held at the United Reformed Church Hall, in Seaton, from August 9-17.

The society, which has a membership of more than 100 local artists who all live and work in East Devon, paint, print and sculpt in a range of media, including oils, inks, watercolour and textiles. They take inspiration from the beautiful countryside and beaches in the area and hold an annual exhibition in Seaton, just a short trip from The Old Bakehouse.

The group holds regular workshops and competitions, and welcomes new members, be they beginners, hobbyists or seasoned professionals! You can find out how to join by visiting their website: Seatonartsociety.co.uk

The pictures set out here are now hanging from our walls and available for our customers to buy.

The Old Bakehouse: Mixed media, by Mary Noon

We love this portrait of our B&B! Guests will find it hanging in the hallway on arrival. Talented artist Mary Noon lives and paints in West Dorset. Though constantly inspired by the stunning local landscape and coastline, Mary is always re-evaluating and evolving and her subject material is eclectic.

Primarily an acrylic painter, Mary uses a wide range of mediums including cyanotype and collagraphs. She loves texture and this is always at the forefront of her work, aiming to draw the viewer from afar closer into her work.

Mary has an annual exhibition at the Malthouse in Lyme Regis and will be taking part in Dorset Open Studios in May and June 2026. Her work as shown on Instagram @marynoon.artist is for sale.

You can contact Mary at mary@noonnet.co.uk

Low Tide at Topsham: Watercolour, by Irene Hirons

Tree of Hearts: Mixed media, by Irene Hirons

Retired teacher Irene Hirons was a prize winner at last year’s Seaton Art Exhibition. After joining the society she took several painting courses and gradually developed her own style, inspired by colour, nature and her surroundings. She works in a variety of media, but mainly watercolour and acrylic and says: “I like to add a touch of sparkle if the piece will take it. I like my work to have a touch of the surreal about it, but the subject is always recognisable.”

From Top: Wetland Impressions; Hazy Summer Atmosphere; English Summer View. Oils, by Eunice M Knott

Liverpool-born Eunice is an honorary Member of the Association of Animal Artists and a Member of the Fine Art Trade Guild Society of Artists. Her desire to paint and draw is fuelled by her love of nature and she chooses her medium according to subject matter and style.

Eunice has sold paintings to people in the UK and around the world. You can find out more at her website: Euniceknott.co.uk. She is also on Instagram at EuniceKnottArt and Facebook at EuniceKnottArtist

Charmouth Beach: Watercolour, by Alexis Weedon

Academic and writer Alexis Weedon moved down to Axminister at the beginning of 2024 to pursue her interest in watercolours and pastels. Most of her work is figure drawing and landscape painting, and she regularly joins the East Devon Sketchers group on their weekly meet up en plein air.

This view of Charmouth bay shows the darker cliffs of Blue Lias rocks and the beach where sharp eyes may catch a glint of the gold in the pyritised ammonites the size of a penny washed out by the sea.

Alexis says: “In this painting I sought to catch the beauty of the moment when the sunlight catches the rim of the clouds using a watercolour resist technique. Other details have been picked out in graphite and charcoal.”

Mouse: Oil pencil, by Diana Vernon

Goldfish: Watercolour, by Diana Vernon

Diana Vernon enjoys working in her garden studio, where she admits she has her best days, absorbed in art with the family dog at her feet! She likes to experiment with different mediums and styles and her favourite subjects are animals and people.