Celebrate the arrival of spring with an exhibition of paintings inspired by the uplifting beauty of spring. Taking place inside our Victorian Glasshouse, the exhibition brings together seven talented local artists, each inspired by the colours, textures and renewal of the spring garden.
Explore artworks that capture the beauty of spring bulbs and blooms – from golden narcissus, and vibrant tulips, to delicate snowdrops and the exquisite magnolia flowers for which Borde Hill is known. Each work is a tribute to nature’s renewal, celebrating the lively palette and vitality that define the season.
The exhibition will run alongside newly planted displays of over 1,000 potted narcissus bulbs, arranged in vintage terracotta pots, in and around the Glasshouse. These displays have been generously funded by visitor book donations and purchases from our Book Cabin throughout the 2024 season. Visitors can also delight in radiant displays along North Park Walk, where 3,000 Narcissus ‘February Gold’ bulbs create a sea of yellow, followed by 2,000 late-blooming daffodils behind the Bride Shelter.
All works will be available for sale.
Exhibiting Artists:
Bernadette Daniels
Bernadette Daniels discovered her passion for art later in life, beginning around the age of sixty when she joined an art class led by Meridith Namsoo. After Meridith’s retirement, Bernadette took the initiative to keep their group of ten painters together, and they continue to meet every Thursday morning in Hurstpierpoint.
Bernadette is also an active member of The Weald of Sussex Art Group, where she has participated in several exhibitions in Burgess Hill, successfully selling some of her work. More recently, she joined the Henfield Art Club and showcased her art at their Annual Exhibition in October.
Working across a variety of techniques, including watercolour, acrylic, and mixed media, Bernadette’s artistic journey reflects her enthusiasm and commitment to exploring creative expression.
Esther Newnham Brown
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.
Fay Bishop
Fay Bishop is a watercolour artist who lives in rural West Sussex. She loves nothing more than spending time painting in her studio and working in her garden, enjoying the beauty that nature provides.
Since training in accountancy at age 21, she never in her wildest dreams believed that she would be able to indulge her passion for art and make it part of her daily life. Over the years she has enjoyed attending lectures and demonstrations, watching other artists at work.
She has exhibited with Steyning Arts and the Henfield Art Club, where for the last 8 years was a committee member in charge of organising their programme which involved booking artists for their workshops and monthly demos.
She particularly loves painting flowers and is excited by the colours, shapes, variations, textures and tones that she sees in their petals and leaves. She also enjoys painting natural scenes and feels this translates well to water colour. Capturing the sense of light is so important. She enjoys emphasising the sense of tone, hard and soft edges and allowing colours to flow and merge creating their own magic.
For the last few years, she has loved teaching watercolour technique workshops in the lovely studio in her garden.
Hazel Ranger
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.
Kenneth McIntosh
Kenneth McIntosh has been a passionate artist for over 50 years, dedicated to drawing, sketching and painting. Over the last decade, he has held acclaimed solo exhibitions in notable venues while continuing to inspire and mentor budding artists through the exhibitions he curates.
As a longtime member of Henfield, Horsham, and other art clubs, Kenneth actively engages with the local art community and beyond. He has also curated several exhibitions at Borde Hill over the years, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists.
Working primarily in acrylics, Kenneth’s artworks evoke a deep emotional response, reflecting the feelings inspired by his life experiences. His vibrant and expressive pieces have been exhibited nationally and internationally, with many finding homes in both modest and prestigious private collections, as well as public and civic galleries.
Lindsey Pearson
Lindsey draws inspiration from the spontaneity and exuberance of painting and drawing with watercolour and inks. Their unpredictable nature and vibrant colours offer exciting challenges and opportunities, working wet in wet with bold, energetic washes that suit her expressive, fluid style.
Her paintings resonate with colour, aiming to capture the essence of a place in an evocative and atmospheric way. Each piece evolves from an initial response to an idea, view, or experience. The interaction between paint, water, and paper creates a magical alchemy—an unparalleled quality unique to this medium.
Lindsey is passionate about continually developing her skills. The joy of learning and experimenting with new techniques inspires and motivates her on her artistic journey. She has a deep connection with special places like the Sussex Downs, Venice, and Málaga, where she enjoys painting and sketching en plein air. Lindsey works from her studio in Storrington and exhibits widely across Sussex. She also teaches individuals or small, personalised groups in her studio upon request.
A former member of Chalk Gallery in Lewes, Lindsey collaborated with other accomplished artists, further honing her skills and knowledge. She remains an active member of Horsham Artists and regularly exhibits with them, as well as with the Association of Sussex Artists and Steyning Arts.
Maggie Knight
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!
