Sophie Newnham

Oil paintings, watercolour, ink and pencil drawings

Studio - Botanical Art- Sophie Newnham

Welcome to my Artists At Home gallery!  I hope to meet you at our upcoming open studios event, running from Friday June 14th (6-9pm) through Sat and Sun June 16th (11am - 6pm), where you will be able to view and buy from a colourful range of my paintings and drawings, in person.  I'm excited to welcome you to my space and to show you the many flowers, plants and vegetables that I love to capture on paper and canvas.

About the artist

Sophie is predominantly a botanical artist and recently awarded Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists. Her main focus over the past 20 years has been a series of large scale, botanical oil paintings.  The detailed flowers that she paints, highlight the beauty and intricacy of nature she observes and admires around her.  Her inspiration is often found amongst the parks and gardens of west London as well as further afield. 

'I have painted many subjects over my career, but often find myself drawn to a beautiful flower that I feel compelled to draw or paint. It is their magical energy, intensity of colour and ability to hold the observer in the present moment that I find so alluring. Much of life now is fast paced; rushing from one thing to another and it is rare that we make time to be still, to appreciate the wondrous details of the world around us. I feel privileged to be an artist and to be able to closely observe the fleeting world of nature over time. My goal is to condense what I see into a single piece that can be appreciated well beyond its fleeting lifespan.  The flowers I have painted over the years have also served as my creative biography, mapping out the path of my life as an artist and as a creative expression of life as I experience it.  The paints, depths of details and colours have become my guiding light, as a way to express both the stepping-stones and diversions I've experienced.'

Portraiture and life drawing have also become strong elements of her work, with the self-portrait at the foundation.  She has made it onto the reserved list for the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year twice with her self-portraits in oils, which has motivated her to pursue this further.  She loves to teach and runs a series of art clubs and workshops for both children and adults. Through teaching and portraiture she has begun to uncover a new found energy, honesty, openness and freedom in her style of working. Her new looser style drawings using inks and pens will be available to see and purchase over the AAH weekend.

·       Email: sophienewnhamart@gmail.com

·       Website: https://www.sophienewnham.com/

Social media links:

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophie_newnham/ 

·       Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sophie-newnham-18202083885

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophienewnham.art