I hope to capture a moment, when life moves so fast and we sometimes forget to look.
Understanding an artist’s journey offers a deeper appreciation of their work, the influences, decisions, and passions that shape their creative path…
Annie Brenchley is a Warwickshire-based painter whose work is deeply rooted in the quiet beauty of the natural world. Having spent her early years in the landscapes of Snowdonia and Anglesey, she continues to draw inspiration from the outdoors, whether it’s sunlight filtering through woodland trees, reflections on water, or the colours of fruit arranged in a still life. Working primarily in oils, Annie balances plein-air landscape painting in the warmer months with studio still-life compositions during winter, capturing small moments of stillness and observation.
In this artist spotlight, Annie reflects on the everyday inspirations behind her paintings, the influence of mentorship and artistic community, and how sketchbooks help shape her ideas. She also shares insights into her creative process, from planning compositions to capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere.
LSA: Your work often centres on trees, water, and fleeting light. What draws you to these quiet, everyday moments rather than grand dramatic scenes?
I am primarily an oil painter who works over the summer ‘en plein air’ painting landscapes or seascapes , when I can! During the colder months, I paint more still life art. My paintings are inspired by everyday life, walks through woods, sunlight on the water, apples in orchards… I hope to capture a moment, when life moves so fast and we sometime forget to look. I hope to bring some stillness and joy in my art.
LSA: What’s one lesson from studying with Vicki Norman that changed your paintings?
Vicki Norman is a fabulous artist, who has a fantastic ability to break things down to key learning points. Vicki has studied with many great artist and is so generous in sharing her knowledge and practical experiences. I started studying with Vicki about 2 years ago and we started with the basics of colour theory and drawing skills. But I think that the biggest learning for me is in planning and design. I spend time sketching and drawing notans, to ensure the designs of my work have impact and are interesting to the viewer. I have some of my sketch books with me in the art room, so I can show and explain the process.
LSA: Having won plein-air and composition awards, do you approach a painting differently when working competitively versus purely for yourself?
Put simply, I always paint what inspires me… be that colour combinations like purple figs on a bright yellow cloth, heavily lit black cherries with their stalks casting amazing shadows or light hitting the brook at Sedgeberrow. The other aspect is that you never know what the judges are looking for and I am always surprised and grateful when I win an award. It does make you feel like you are going in the right direction!
LSA: You’re deeply involved in local art societies and exhibitions. How has being part of an artistic community influenced your own creative development?
Having not studied art professionally, I am grateful to all the input from other artists you can access through demonstrations and workshops at Stratford art Society, The Vale of Evesham and Chipping Campden Art Society. It has increased my breadth of knowledge and introduced me to new techniques and ideas, which always informs your work. I also believe it is amazing to meet creatives and be part of the artistic community. It is important for people to support each other and to create opportunities for people to show their work and be proud of their achievements. That is a key part of the LSA community ethos and the art societies too.
LSA: Do you ever look back through your sketchbooks and see ideas that surprise you or remind you how your creativity has changed over time?
I started working in sketch books when doing on line art challenges (the 110 day sketch challenge and Strada Easel painting from life daily for a month) and a local art class in Evesham many years ago. My sketchbooks are a place to try new techniques and play with ideas! I’ve got them with me at the art room, so you’ll see watercolour, felt pens, acrylic, some prints… I look back to get some inspiration for new ideas and also it’s a bit like a diary, time spent with friends painting in Tenby or Newlyn harbour and tricky boats!