Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Nigel Waters

Nigel is very inspired by Coastal Walking particularly the south west coast path. He enjoys creating semi-abstract seascape and landscape paintings of south west England. He is particularly inspired by the changing geology of the coastline and experience of being immersed in the landscape, with changing weather creating a different experience every time. Nigel’s work is created en plein air as he enjoys this aspect of creating while out in the elements. He tries to capture the light, colour and form of the landscape with bright acrylics. He is inspired by the Fauvist artists such as Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck with regards to using deep bright colours in his work. Also, the abstract expressionists with regards to rapid expressive mark making and creating dynamic compositions. Nigel holds a BA Fine Art degree with first class honours. He has had exhibitions at the Penwith Gallery St Ives, Fronteer Gallery Sheffield and Teignmouth art Society at TAAG. He has previously exhibited at Exeter University and the Brick Lane Gallery London.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I have been working as a professional artist for the last twenty years based in East Devon. I graduated with a BA Fine Art with First Class Honours from Plymouth University in 2006. I grew up in the countryside where nature, animals and walking have always been a big part of my life. As such I take my inspiration from the vibrancy of landscapes and the coastline.”

What inspires you?

“I particularly enjoy coastal walks along the south west coast path, where I stop in the moment to create semi-abstract expressionist seascape and landscape paintings. My colour palette changes with the varying geology of the coastline and experience of being immersed in the landscape, with changing weather creating a different experience every time. My work is created en plein air as I enjoy the aspect of creating while out in the elements. I try to capture the light and colour of the landscape with bright acrylics. I am inspired by the Fauvist artists such as Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck with regards to using deep bright colours in my work. Walking in the Landscape is important to me which I have done since I was a teenager completing the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award on Dartmoor. Since then, I enjoy the freedom and experience of walking immersing myself in the landscape. I make regular visits to paint in St Ives where I am inspired by the breadth of abstract painting from the St Ives modernist artist heritage. From here I walk the Cornish coastline with the coastal highlights being Cape Cornwall at St Just, Sennen and The Lizard.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Themes I explore are local Geology. I live on the Jurassic Coast a world heritage site with millions of years of history and enjoy visually exploring the forms and colours of this landscape which promotes others to visit and enjoy the landscape. I study the changing Landscape of Devon due to Coastal Erosion and paint this continuously evolving picture. There are many cliff falls which changes the contours of the landscape providing ever evolving scenes to paint. Walking footpaths and the right to roam access to land and camping on moorland e.g. Dartmoor and the south west coast path. I believe camping should be allowed on the moors to allow visitors to experience and enjoy the landscape. The experience of being in the landscape which can speak to the viewer in terms of having a similar memory in their home through my artwork.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work is semi-abstract expressionist and inspired by my experience of seascapes and landscapes. A big strength of my work is the use of colour and depiction of light. I use vivid acrylic paint and paint expressively outdoors. I sometimes use colours not actually present to make the paintings more intense and bright. I am inspired by the fauvists technique and their expressive painting and use of bright colours. I paint en plein air taking equipment out onto the coast path or inland and sometimes finish work in the studio if weather affects my ability to finish work. I am inspired by the abstract techniques of the St Ives artists and inform the semi-abstraction of my landscapes painting with these techniques.”

Which artists influence you most?

“St Ives Modernist Artists in terms of semi abstracting my work using techniques and styles studied from this movement. For example Lanyon, Heron and Barns-Graham. Abstract Expressionists in terms of working expressively, gesturally and rapidly capturing scenes as they change before your eyes. Artists such as Pollock, Frankenthaler and De Kooning. Fauvist Artists in terms of the use of bright colours in landscape painting and sometimes colour not present to highlight light and intensity. Artists such as Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck.”

“My work is semi-abstract expressionist and inspired by my experience of seascapes and landscapes.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process predominantly involves walking either on coast paths or in the landscape and moorland. I draw inspiration from the immersive experience of walking through the landscape and the visual affects caused by light and weather constantly changing this experience. I take photographs to refer to and keep a sketchbook, quickly sketching out ideas and forms to use in paintings. The majority of finished work is created en plein air during a walk or visit to a place and then finished in the studio if weather affects the ability to complete it. I stop and take in a scene semi abstracting the view with different colours and forms viewed along the route to overlay on the main scene being painted. I work quickly and expressively capturing the scene and experience of the walk. I take work back to the studio and frame ready to promote through Instagram and sell through galleries and online.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The artists role in society includes putting on exhibitions for public enjoyment and creative engagement in art galleries and museums to provide a cultural experience for visitors. Visitors can enjoy the experience of the landscape through the art displayed which can evoke their own memories and serve as a means of escapism. They challenge conventional thinking, push boundaries, and make people uncomfortable in necessary ways. Beyond critique, artists serve as bridges between the conscious and unconscious, the rational and emotional. They help societies process collective feelings. Art provides a safe space to wrestle with difficult questions about society and the landscape we live in. Artists are also cultural innovators, creating new forms of expression and expanding the boundaries of human communication. They develop visual languages and narrative structures that become part of our shared cultural toolkit. To comment on cultural issues to highlight for debate e.g. the right to roam on Dartmoor and Wild Camp. Protecting the Coastline from erosion. Footpath conservation which I took part in through the Duke of Edinburgh Gold. On a more intimate level, artists offer beauty, wonder, and transcendence in daily life. They remind us that human existence involves more than mere survival or productivity – that there's value in contemplation, aesthetic experience, and creative expression for its own sake.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“Yes, my work is exhibited at Penwith Gallery St Ives Associate Members Show - St Ives Abstract Garden Painting until the 16th August 2025, I will also be exhibiting at the Fronteer Gallery Sheffield Brisons Cape Cornwall Seascape Painting 19th August – 3rd September 2025; Circular Artspace Bristol Neon Flash Abstract Painting Virtual Reality Show 6th August – 31st August 2025; Teignmouth Art Society Members Exhibition TAAG Teignmouth Back Beach Teignmouth and Lyme Regis Towards Charmouth Painting 16th – 29th August 2025. My previous noteworthy exhibitions include Innovation Centre, Exeter University Cornwall Mining Coastline & St Ives Metal Relief & Gloss Paintings Solo Show; The Northcott Theatre, Exeter University; Winner Emerging Artist Bursary 20 Paintings Solo Show Devon Artist Network Open Studios; Brick Lane Gallery London Olympics, Landescapist, Levant Group Art In Mind International Exhibition.”

 
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