Artist Review / / Annie O'Brien Gonzales

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art and design with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, I'm featuring the floral paintings of Annie O'Brien Gonzales.

Annie studied painting and art history at Oregon State University before settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She uses oil, acrylic, and mixed media to create expressive spontaneous images inspired by nature.

Annie offers painting workshops in her hometown and you can find out more about her events and forthcoming exhibitions on her website. Have a lovely week, Justine x

Artist Review / / Tiffany Calder Kingston

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art and design with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the beautiful paintings of Tiffany Calder Kingston.

Tiffany is an Australian artist, born in Melbourne and now living in Byron Bay. After working for 15 years as a commercial artist and designer, she decided to rediscover her love of painting and now takes her creative inspiration from the natural environment.

She likes to explore the relationship that both primitive and present day cultures have with nature and produces work for private commissions and galleries throughout Australia. Her wonderful eye for colour, composition and texture is evident in her paintings and you can see lots more on her website. Have a great week, Justine x

Artist Review / / Este MacLeod

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art and design with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the gorgeous paintings of Este MacLeod.

Este is a British painter and applied artist living in Berkshire. Her paintings often explore simplified, domestic still lives which are subtly distorted into a flattened perspective. She uses complimentary colours, layered paint and a variety of scraping techniques to add texture to her work.

As an Arts Council England advisor, Este promotes art in the community in addition to exhibiting and accepting commissions. You can see more of her work on her website. P.S. many thanks also go to Carolyn Gavin (one of my favourite 'pinners') for alerting me to Este's work through Pinterest. More next week! Justine x

Artist Review: Vanessa Cooper

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's new 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the contemporary art of Vanessa Cooper.

Vanessa is a Hampshire based artist who's been exhibiting her paintings since 1987. She works mainly in oils, sometimes using gouache and sculpture in work which is often inspired by nature and family life.

I love the naive, flattened perspectives and folk art styling, along with the lovely colour choices which give such vitality and charm to this work. Have a beautiful week! Justine x

Artist Review: Christina Baker

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's new 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the colourful paintings of Christina Baker.

Christina is a self-taught artist based in Nashville who specialises in acrylics. She has a keen eye for colour and enjoys working intuitively in a contemporary impressionist style. You can find details of her current exhibitions and paintings for sale at her website. More art next Tuesday! Justine x

Artist Review: Kathe Fraga

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's new 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the romantic paintings of Kathe Fraga.

Kathe is an artist currently living on a small island near Seattle although she has spent time in France, England, South America and Denmark and has been influenced by the aged grandeur of the buildings she has visited.

She uses acrylic paints on frescoed canvas which she finishes with lacquer and is inspired by antique wallpapers, chinoiserie, vintage kimonos and hand embroidery - elements of which are used as motifs in her work.

I love the romance conveyed in her paintings which have beautiful names like, 'A Rustle of Feathers, A Whisper of Love', 'That Soft Summer Day When You First Said Hello' and 'Love Poems - Soft Kisses'. More loveliness next Tuesday, Justine x