Exhibition: The Sussex Artists – ‘Inspired by Nature’

‘My art works of land and seascapes, flowers and more, are vehicles to creating a sense of wellbeing. I aspire that the viewer experiences inner peace on first viewing, and time and again when a work hangs in their home. The observing and doing motivates me, the bonus being when my works hang in venues and homes in which there is uplifting and spiritual energy and healing, self-nourishment takes place.

I love to support venues in which my art resonates with the values of the venue itself. Financial reward is far from what it’s all about for me’.

Kenneth McIntosh

Esther Newnham Brown works from her garden studio in Rusper, creating paintings across a variety of subjects, styles, and sizes. For Esther, the larger the canvas, the greater the joy. She embraces a free-spirited approach to her art, working on whatever idea inspires her in the moment, often breaking traditional rules in the process.

Her primary mediums are oils, with occasional use of acrylics and watercolours. Esther is known for her playful approach – setting pieces aside when she feels stuck or uninspired and revisiting them later with fresh eyes.

Art has been a lifelong passion for Esther, influenced by her artistic family, including her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After a pause to raise her two sons, she has spent the last 20 years painting, exhibiting her work, and running a small artist gallery in Henfield – a venture she describes as an absolute passion.

Inspired by artists such as Henri Rousseau and Frida Kahlo for their bold use of colour, Lucian Freud for his raw honesty, and Edward Hopper for his atmospheric scenes, Esther continues to explore and learn through workshops and new creative challenges. For her, art is a journey of discovery, joy, and connection.

Maggie’s work is inspired by nature and a love of our beautiful natural surroundings. She paints landscapes and seascapes as well as many more ‘close-up’ studies – flowers, shrubs and trees.

She has painted all her life – whilst living in America, India, Bermuda, Scotland and now in Sussex. She is a member of The Association of Sussex Artists and exhibits with them and in other Art Exhibitions, Galleries and special venue events.

Maggie strives to paint with her mantra ‘freedom of expression’, perhaps inspired by her love of the great Impressionists! She works in oil and mixes her own tones from just a handful of colours to ensure a greater degree of harmony to the final painting. Her paintings are neither ‘photographic’ representations nor too abstract – she strives to paint in a looser and more expressive style – always challenged, always discovering, always painting!

Bernadette Daniels discovered her passion for art later in life. She works with watercolour, acrylics, oils, and especially mixed media – her favourite medium. Her inspiration comes from being out in nature, walking her dogs, and foraging for seeds, leaves, and other organic materials to incorporate into her work.

She has a deep love of vibrant colours and uses them whenever possible in her paintings. Through texture and colour, she aims to highlight the beauty of the natural world in a way that resonates with and delights the viewer.

Hazel Ranger was born and raised in Horsham, where she trained as a tracer and eventually became a skilled detail draughtswoman.

Over 30 years ago, she settled in the charming village of Hurstpierpoint, where retirement offered the perfect opportunity to pursue her lifelong passion for painting.

Eager to refine her skills, Hazel enrolled in various art classes and workshops, and she became an active member of The Weald of Sussex Art Club. When the club closed, she became a member of The Henfield Art Club.

Hazel’s work has been exhibited through these clubs, as well as at the Brighton Open Houses and The Hurstpierpoint Open Studios. She is proud to have sold several of her pieces to art lovers who connect with her work.