The Coolest Artists You Need to Know Right Now
These are the artists and creatives you need to know right now
Ione Harrison Art
Ione creates richly-textured, vibrant and atmospheric interpretations of North Yorkshire landscapes. Painting mainly in watercolour and ink, her paintings capture the ever-changing light and moods of moor, hill, woodland and coastline. Ione also leads painting workshops aimed at all levels. Browse Ione’s paintings, cards and prints by visiting her studio and gallery space at Nunnington Studios.
Living North loves: Windswept watercolour and acrylic ink, £295
Nunnington Studios, Low Street, Nunnington, York YO62 5UR
ioneharrison.co.uk
Bonny Snowdon
Ripon-based Bonny Snowdon is as impressive an entrepreneur as she is an artist, having created a £1 million pet portrait art school that helps boost the confidence and self-esteem of other mid-lifers. She became a professional animal portrait artist in her mid-40s after her daughter bought her a colouring book and pencils, despite not having drawn since school, and she now specialises in creating hyper-realistic pet portraits that you can treasure for a lifetime.
Living North loves: Labrador coloured pencil pet portrait
bonnysnowdonfineart.co.uk
bonnysnowdonacademy.com
A City By The Sea
Celebrating the North East coastline with prints, clothing and accessories, A City By The Sea is the brainchild of Whitley Bay artist Andrew. He’s lived and worked in the North East all his life and has a passion for the local area. His prints feature the region’s iconic bridges, lighthouses and landmarks and his clothing range includes tees, hats and backpacks.
Living North loves: Tynemouth Surf poster print, from £5
acitybythesea.co.uk
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Clare Haley
Clare was born and raised in West Yorkshire, and has been painting professionally for 12 years. She is now based in Holmfirth and has always been inspired by her surroundings, particularly the effects of our weather. Clare held her first solo exhibition in 2012 and now works with five galleries to display her work, which includes her unusual circular paintings. Read more about Clare’s artistic journey and recent work at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Shadows near Scar House, £1,100
clarehaley.com
Anna Cook Paperart
The beauty of the natural world comes to life through York-based artist Anna Cook’s paper art. She creates multi-layered, hand-cut paper art, and presents her work in deep box frames. Alongside her original pieces she also offers a range of prints and cards. Find out more at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: A Moment of Calm – Swan fine art giclée print, £40
annacookpaperart.co.uk
Amy Izat
Amy is a Berwick-based fine artist who has lived in Northumberland all her life. In 2014 at the age of 20, Amy (who dreamed of becoming a classically-trained portrait painter), collapsed from a brain haemorrhage. She had a 50 percent chance of surviving. Now, she sells her detailed illustrations from 27 Art House in Berwick, inspired by the Northumberland countryside and its wildlife. She sells greetings cards, postcards, prints and homeware alongside work by other artists and also runs workshops. Most recently, Amy has been working on her debut book titled A Different Kind of Vision, all about her artistic journey. Read more about her work at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Raven limited edition print, £190
27 Art House, Bridge Street, Berwick TD15 1ES
amyizat.com
Vicki Davidson
North Yorkshire artist Vicki Davidson creates dynamic paintings and prints, capturing wildlife and landscapes throughout the changing seasons. She uses a variety of mediums, including oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolour and charcoal, and you can read more about her successful journey from nurse to artist, and how she brought joy in lockdown, at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Poppy Hare print, £29–£80
vickidavidson.com
Lucie In The Sky Art
Lucie is an illustrator based in Newcastle. Her collection of vibrant and quirky prints are perfect for those looking to add colour and character to their homes. From music, drinks and party destinations to star signs and animals, Lucie finds her inspiration in various parts of the world and always puts a unique twist on them. Find out how Lucie got into art at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Leopard Wearing Glasses art print, from £18
lucieintheskyart.co.uk
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Kate Van Suddese
Kate has been a professional artist for 40 years, exhibiting in galleries nationally including a solo show at The Biscuit Factory. Her paintings are collected internationally too. In 2006 Sam Mendes bought two of her large seascapes as a present for his then wife, Kate Winslet (who had just completed filming for Titanic). Kate finds her inspiration along the North East coastline, while her series of paintings of flowers are also very popular.
Living North loves: The Walk Back Home – Whitley Bay large mounted print, £75
07508 531105
katevansuddeseart.com
Katherine Renton
Artist and art educator Katherine Renton grew up in Amble, and sources both her inspiration and her materials from the North East coast. Her castles paintings began with evening visits to her local beach at Alnmouth on summer days, when she became fascinated by the various sandcastles that visitors built there. Inspired by the fact that Alnmouth doesn’t have a castle of its own, she began a series of pencil studies of ‘Alnmouth Castle’. It’s only in the last year that she saw a relevance to painting the ‘real’ castles of Northumberland, and Katherine continues to exhibit throughout the region. Find out more at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Keep, Seacoal No.4a seacoal and gum arabic on paper
katherine-renton.co.uk
Clifford Blakey
Clifford Blakey is a Northumberland artist known for his contemporary landscapes, seascapes, still life and figurative paintings. Find his work in private collections all over the world. He has completed commissions for the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and in the past he has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Show. Clifford’s paintings are regularly available at Blagdon Gallery, which is where you’ll find The Colour of Light (an exhibition of new original paintings) until 11th November. You can also view Clifford’s paintings and purchase his limited edition prints on his website.
Living North loves: Standing on the Rocks limited edition print, £60
07961 517806
cliffiko@aol.com
cliffordblakeyart.com
Craig Colquhoun Glass Artistry
In May 1980 Craig Colquhoun melted glass for the first time, and he’s now considered a world-renowned glass artist. Craig has developed a distinctive style, specialising in recreating iconic sporting moments in handblown glass. Craig, who is based in Newcastle, was originally supported by The Prince’s Trust. He’s famed for his recreation of the famous Kentucky Derby, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky, which took over four years of work and cost $2 million. Since returning to Newcastle in 2007, Craig has been striving to create his beloved St James Park and remains dedicated to its recreating. Browse his unique sculptures and decorations or commission your own – no sculpture is too large or small.
Living North loves: Toon Army Magpie glass sculpture, £45–£150
07903 332049
craigglass.art
Little Leaf Pottery
Little Leaf Pottery is a small pottery studio in York. Originally from Switzerland, Gabi moved to the UK in 2009. Still inspired by the mountains she grew up in, her pottery journey started at her kitchen table in early 2020 and she now runs a successful business. Each piece she creates is unique because they’re all handmade.
Living North loves: Angels of the North tumblers, £20
little-leaf-pottery.com
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Faye Greenman
Sunderland-based artist Faye Greenman paints abstract art that’s in demand around the world. A Northumbria University fashion graduate, Faye has had growing success since becoming an independent artist and her canvases have sold to customers in New York, Canada and Germany as well as closer to home. She sells original paintings, fine art prints and now clothing, and is also open for commissions within her artistic style. Read more about her work at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: CHAPTER ONE: Lavender, 2023 acrylic and oil on canvas, £2,500
fayegreenman.com
Madeleine Agnew
From dandy deer to princely parrots, Madeleine’s distinctive style puts a quirky twist on traditional portraits. Her affordable original oil paintings and high-quality prints make charming gifts. As a figurative painter, Madeleine creates a whole host of figures, whether it be animals, birds or people – all with a unique twist. Find out more about her inspiration at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Parrot Bird limited edition print, £25–£75
07779 271219
maddiepaints.co.uk
Fiona Carvell
Award-winning pastel artist Fiona Carvell exhibits her work regularly both nationally and internationally. Recent exhibitions have included The Pastel Society UK and the Society of Graphic Fine Art both at The Mall Galleries London. Fiona will next be exhibiting at the Harrogate Art Fair, from 13th–15th October at Stand C31. Join in with one of her Pastel Workshops, or head along to her Artist Talk at The Hearth Arts Centre in Horsley on 21st October.
Living North loves: Taking The Plunge pastel on paper
fionacarvell.com
Olivia Beau
Olivia is a Yorkshire-based artist working primarily with acrylics. Growing up on the Yorkshire coast inspired her first collection, Of Sand & Sea, and most of her recent work has been created with the coast as a starting point.
Living North loves: Out Of The Blue on canvas, £160
oliviabeaustudio.com
Zacrosso
Colour-blind freelance illustrator Zac Rossiter, who lives in Headingley, Leeds, is fascinated by faces, history and his environment. His illustrations are a mixed-media combination of watercolour and iPad Procreate painting. Digital art is his favourite medium, but he also enjoys painting with real watercolours to add a traditional feel to the pictures. He often adds cartoonish figures to these pictures and varying colours for vibrancy. Read more about Zac’s art at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Hebden Bridge print, £9.50
zacrosso.com
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Jane Charles Studio Glass
Newcastle-based Jane Charles is one of the last independent glass makers in the North East. She has been producing a wide range of glass paperweights, perfume bottles, vases, bowls and sculptural works since 1987 and her work can be found in shops and galleries throughout the UK. Read more about her work at livingnorth.com.
Living North loves: Crimped inland bottle
Unit 21 Riversdale Court, Newburn Haugh Industrial Estate, Newcastle NE15 8SG
0191 340 7479
janecharlesstudioglass.co.uk
Jessica Jenyns
Jessica is a York-based artist with a passion for the natural world. Her work reimagines flora and fauna using techniques including needle-felt, drawing, printing, paint and clay. Previously she has worked with charities such as Ribble Rivers Trust, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Tees River Trust to produce charity cards and run workshops.
Living North loves: Needle-felt landscape (made to order), £120
jessicajenyns.co.uk
