Shining a spotlight on amazing local artists

We love art at The Old Bakehouse and to celebrate we’ve teamed up with the Seaton & District Art Society to showcase some of the fabulous artists who live and paint in this beautiful part of East Devon.

The society has a membership of more than 100 local artists, who paint, print and sculpt in a range of media including oils, inks, watercolour and textiles. They take inspiration from the beautiful countryside and beaches of the West Country and hold an annual exhibition in Seaton, this year planned for August 10-18, from 10am to 4pm (closing at 1pm on the 18th) at The Marshlands Centre, in Harbour Road, Seaton.

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

We’re delighted to feature artwork by some of these fantastic artists at The Old Bakehouse. The pictures set out here are now hanging from our walls and available for our customers to buy. We think you’ll agree with us - they are amazing!

Cornish Cove: Oil on canvas, by Gillian Jones

Dartmoor Woodland: Oil on canvas, by Terry Jeavons

Following a career as an award-winning graphic designer and art director, Terry now concentrates on painting, drawing and photography. He focuses on landscapes and the human figure, drawing inspiration from the East Devon countryside as well as the Scottish Highlands.

Terry primarily paints in oils and works outdoors as well as in his studio. He has exhibited at galleries in Surrey, Dorset and Devon as well as in the annual Seaton & District Art Society Exhibition.

You can find his artwork on Instagram at jeavonsartworks, and his photography also on Instagram at terryjeavons

Rewilding: Oil on Canvas, by Viv Graham

Mushrooms: 3D model by Gracie Lee

Self-taught artist Gracie started out working in pen and ink but now favours mixed media and is prepared to work in anything and everything! An extension to this is her choice of clay, building small sculptural installations with a twist.

A part-time teacher in art, Gracie has successfully exhibited in Europe and the UK. She says nature is her constant inspiration for her work.

A Peaceful Setting on The River Axe: Watercolour by Adrian Ballantyne

Adrian is based in Axminster and has lived in the West Country since 1986. His subject matter includes landscapes, street scenes and still life, using media ranging from watercolour to oils and acrylics. He says his style and media is what feels most appropriate to the painting in hand.

Surf: Mixed media by Juliet Giron

Devon-based Juliet is a mixed media artist, inspired by the sea and the beautiful countryside of the South West. You can see more of her work on her Instagram, page: ju_liet5851

St Andrew’s Church, Colyton: Lino print by Mike Ilsey

Mike has been dabbling in traditional Lino and woodblock printing for the last seven years after a career as a headteacher. His subject matter is usually nature or environment-related with an emphasis on constant experimentation. He previously worked in coloured pencil and has recently fulfilled a long-standing ambition to illustrate a children’s book. Mike’s other pictures are available online at www.finn-studio.com

Seagull: Collagraph by Mary Noon

Mary has been a practising artist since 2015. She moved to West Dorset in 2018 and retired from her business in the field of dyslexia in 2021. She uses texture for emphasis in her art, most notably in collage and collagraphs, the latter being prints made from a collaged plate.

Mary also uses watercolour and acrylic and continues to experiment and evolve her work. Her subject matter is varied, but she has a tendency to return to seascapes and landscapes, taking inspiration from the Dorset countryside and Jurassic coastline.

You can find more of Mary’s work on her Instagram page: marynoon.artist

Coming Home: Oil on canvas by Lez Gray

Largely self-taught artist Lez quit corporate life for East Devon and uses a range of media, including oils, watercolour and acrylics. This painting was inspired by a chance photograph he took while on holiday in Canada. He says: “I was drawn to the light catching the kicked up dust behind the riders and the sense of a hard day’s ride and the safe return home.”

You can find more works by Lez at his website: www.lezgrayfineart.com

Dartmoor Inspired II: Mixed media by Irene Hirons

Irene took up art when she moved to Sidmouth after retirement. Working in a variety of media, she says: “I love to add a touch of sparkle and magic. I’m inspired by colour and the world around us.”

You can find more of Irene’s art on her Facebook page: Irene Hirons Art. And on her Instagram page: Irenehirons

Razzle-Dazzle Daisies: Textiles by Jan Charlesworth

Jan taught art for over 20 years and is an award-winning artist who has exhibited in many galleries around the country.

She now concentrates on stitched textiles. Her work explores colour and texture using a combination of machine and hand embroidery, using threads, fabrics, beads and paint to create a unique surface. Her themes are often organic and natural and she takes inspiration from the coast and countryside.

Jan is a member of Budleigh Embroiderers and has won awards for her textile artworks, including The Embroiderers Guild Annual Competition.

Echoes of Holyford: Mixed media by Cherry Ferris

Cherry is a self-taught artist fascinated with colour, pigment materials and all things sparkly! She uses many different types of media, including pyrography, acrylics, pastels, oils, watercolours and coloured pencils. Cherry loves the heightened detail in botanical illustration and often includes hares and owls in her work.

See more of her art on www.fairiewoodart.com

Dunes: Pastels 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. She lives in Devon with her husband and Siamese cat.

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

Birds of Freedom: Acrylic inks by Barbara Whiteley

Snow: Oil on canvas by Ewa Horys