It is always really exciting to launch a new card collection. After last year’s successful catalogue with popular new ranges such as Anna Perlin, Daniel Cole, Kate Green, Little Ram Studio and the NEAC art society range, we knew it would be a difficult act to follow. We are pleased to say that the new introductions for 2018 have been fantastically well received, and alongside our many established ranges we feel this year’s collection may be our strongest yet. We hope you will enjoy reading about our talented new 2018 artists.
Louise Rawlings
Louise Rawlings graduated in the early nineties with a degree in illustration. She has enjoyed a long and varied career as a freelance illustrator, working in areas such as greeting cards, calendars, ceramics, fine art and children’s books.
She lives and works in Sutton Coldfield where many of her ideas originate during her early morning dog walk. She takes her inspiration from the changing seasons and everyday observations of the people and dogs she meets and from her regular trips to the British coastline – North Wales being a particular favourite.
Below: Alfie and the Van by Louise Rawlings
Hilke MacIntyre
Hilke MacIntyre was born in Germany near the Danish border. She studied architecture at the College for Art & Design in Kiel and worked for various architects until she moved to Scotland in1995. Since then she has concentrated on printing, painting and ceramics, combining a simplified figurative style with bold shapes, strong colours and abstract patterns.
Her work is widely exhibited in galleries throughout Britain and has been selected many times for the annual show at the Royal Scottish Academy. Her linocuts and woodcuts have been used for various illustrations. She lives with her family near St Andrews.
Below: In the Hammock by Hilke MacIntyre
Linda Alexander ROI SBA
Linda Alexander’s early career as a qualified architect was spent working for a number of award winning architectural practices. Her graphic skills were employed preparing artwork and presentation drawings for national and international competitions. One of these drawings was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Linda takes inspiration for her oil paintings from nature. She especially enjoys portraying the play of sunlight on flowers, the texture of surfaces and the graceful botanical shapes and structures evident everywhere. Following a number of successful shows Linda decided to become a full-time professional artist in 2005. Her work has been shown in London galleries, including the Mall Galleries London and since 2007 she has exhibited each year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. She has won a number of prestigious awards and her work is in private collections worldwide.
Below: Poppy Garden by Linda Alexander
Sunita Khedekar
Sunita Khedekar was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She graduated in Applied Arts and Fine Arts from Asia’s premier art school, Sir J.J Institute of Applied Art in 1991. After graduating she worked in advertising before starting up her own design studio. In 1999 she relocated to the UK and since then she has focused on her painting.
She is inspired by the beautiful English landscape, symmetrical architecture and the seasonal changes, combined with her nostalgia of India. While the subject is English, her treatment of it as a colourful patchwork recalls her Indian origins. Colour, shape or texture are enough to give her an idea for a painting.
Below: Lakeside View by Sunita Khedekar
Lisa Graa Jensen RI
Born in Soborg, Denmark, Lisa Graa Jensen moved to London to train at two well-established art schools, Sir John Cass School of Art and Camberwell School of Art where she obtained a BA (Honours) Degree in Graphic Design/Book Illustration. On graduating Lisa became a full-time illustrator . She worked for BBC Publications, working regularly for the Radio Times. She is a regular contributor to “Leisure Painter”, giving instruction and advice on painting and illustration techniques.
Lisa lives and works near Wimbledon Common, and lived in rural France, from where whimsical, vibrant and colourful landscapes evolve; illustrating all things to do with nature and changing seasons. The paintings are full of animals, birds and people in their everyday lives.
Lisa has exhibited each year at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours since 1988. She received a Commendation at the 1992 Exhibition and was elected to the RI in 1996. Her highly detailed, colourful and often humorous work has enabled her to exhibit with the Society of Graphic Artists and the Royal Society of Miniaturists.
Below: Peeky Hen by Lisa Graa Jensen
June Berry NEAC Hon RE RWA RWS
In 1942 June joined the Slade School of Fine Art, and was in war service in the WRNS, code breaking in an out-station of Bletchley Park. Following a Postgraduate year at Slade, June married John Berry, a ceramic artist and they settled in Sydenham with their four children. It was while her children were young that June did some part time teaching in various London art schools.
In 1973, June and her husband bought a derelict farmhouse in the hamlet of La Bontellerie in France. Once their children had moved on, June and her husband moved to Beckenham, where she now works in her loft studio, and for about 4 months of the year in her studio in France.
June finds her subjects either in and around the farmhouse in Midwestern France, or in the streets and parks of South East London, where they live. Her paintings are born of close observation, registered in notes and sketchbooks and worked up back in the studio. She works in oil on board, which allows the possibility of cropping, using only sable or nylon brushes and rags.
Below: The Great Lime Tree by June Berry
To find out more about these artists just click the links below to visit their websites.
Thank you for reading,
Laura and Kicki