Landscape artist Katharine Edwards reveals a childhood of creativity, being inspired by Hertfordshire and her local loves
Have you always been into art?
Yes, very much so – I have always loved to draw and paint. As far back as I can remember, I’ve covered every surface available to me – including at times some things I shouldn’t have been drawing on, including the family place mats! But my parents were very patient and never minded, in fact they actively encouraging my passion.
I can remember when my sister and I were little we would have drawing competitions, and my father encouraged us to go to exhibitions as much as possible. He collected paintings and drawings so our walls at home were covered with art, which was an inspiration to me.
Can you define your style?
My paintings are an emotional response to the landscape in which I am surrounded. I like to explore the tension between verticals and horizontals and the interplay of cultivation and wilderness, abstraction, colour, pattern, texture and design.
Our childhood holidays were spent in Wales exploring the Black Mountains, and in later life we moved to a remote corner of Northumberland, surrounded by forest, with wood burning stoves and gas wall lights. This total immersion in nature fuelled my desire to capture the landscapes around me.
When my family were young, we were looking for a change and found a house surrounded by a patchwork of olive trees and mountains in Spain. I found the colours intoxicating – the smells, the light… such a fresh, exotic, beautiful and intriguing landscape, which is the inspiration behind my more recent Andalusian paintings.
How do you normally like to work?
I like painting and drawing directly in the landscape on paper, and I use these drawings and photographs to paint large canvases when I’m back in my studio in Hertfordshire.
I like to imagine myself as an eagle, soaring over the landscape, blissfully unconcerned with what is going on below. I like to think of my paintings as an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, getting away from the petty squabbles on earth.
What’s the most recent collection of work you have produced?
I produced a large body of work from the amazing landscape of southern Spain for an exhibition called Impressions of Andalusia in 2020.
My most recent paintings are from Rome where I visited my youngest son. I was captivated by the Umbrella Pines, which create beautiful silhouettes against the Baroque and ancient architecture and so I did a series of paintings depicting the shapes and movement of these extraordinary trees.
As we head into 2023, do you know what your next focus will be?
Before Covid I travelled up the west coast of Scotland and visited the Hebridean islands including the remote archipelago of St Kilda in the Atlantic, which was extraordinary. I’d like to travel again to those Islands and really explore and immerse myself drawing, painting this beautiful landscape and the wild life, especially the birds.
Whereabouts in Hertfordshire are you based and what do you love about it?
I am based in North Hertfordshire. I work in a studio in an old barn surrounded by arable fields and paddocks with horses. It is a lovely tranquil space where I can unwind and face a canvas and create.
Does Hertfordshire ever inspire your work?
Hertfordshire has inspired me very much over the years; the golden arable fields of barley, fields shot with red poppies, the buzzards and Red Kites. I have painted a lot from this landscape which I call home.
Where would your three favourite places in the county be?
Burloes Farm near Royston where I have my studio. The villages of Barley and Barkway situated in the beautiful Chiltern Hills where I have ridden and walked a lot over the years. And The Fox and Hounds Pub in Barley is a favourite, I can walk there from my home with my dogs who are welcomed into the pub. Delicious food and a lovely convivial atmosphere.
Away from art, how do you like to relax?
I walk a lot with my dogs, I love hiking in wild countryside, spending time with my family and I am an avid reader.
Finally, any new year’s resolutions?
To travel more in the United Kingdom and explore this beautiful island.
katharineedwards.co.uk; @art.katharineedwards
