Nicola KevaneI live in a cottage in North Yorkshire with my family and one horse, three ponies, two dogs, one hen and two goldfish. I am lucky in that I can look out of my studio window for inspiration, not only from our own animals but a variety of wildlife including hares, owls, pheasants and the odd stoat.
On one occasion, I was painting a hound study, whilst out of my window, a hunt was going through the copse at the end of our field! I am always on the lookout for ideas when I am out in the countryside. My family just think I spend most of the time daydreaming... |
backgroundI painted at school but then studied English at university before returning to painting. I worked on local fruit farms in my holidays in Sussex and exercised other people's ponies. In the world of work, I have worked in various office positions... but who was I kidding, as I finally returned to painting and animals when I moved to Yorkshire.
Originally, I painted furniture with country sporting scenes, taking inspiration from old prints. The study of old pictures (old art sale catalogues are invaluable!) has given me a good grounding to progress to my own paintings today. |