About

I'm a self-taught acrylic artist, drawing most of my inspiration from life on farms.

My unexpected journey into painting began while backpacking in Australia in 2017. I found myself milking cows solo on the remote and beautiful King Island, Tasmania. The job description had warned that "if you don't like surfing, snorkelling or diving, this probably isn't the place for you." Perfect, then.

What it didn't mention was the amazing arts scene on the island. I was told to check out a gorgeous gallery/café run by the incredibly talented artist Marilyn Chapman. After showing her a small painting I’d done (named 'Up Girls') she kindly took me under her wing and encouraged me to work on larger canvases.

By the end of my 5 month stint on the island, I'd sold my first ever painting and was hooked.

Since then, painting has been a constant companion in my fairly nomadic life. I paint in my spare time around a day job, and I've been lucky enough to work on commissions, as well as murals for Halter HQ in Auckland, their R&D farm cow shed, and La Jungla Hostel on Isabela Island in the Galápagos (see images below!).

I work with just five acrylic colours - easy to travel with, and more than enough to explore form, light and feeling. My goal is for each piece to have a photo-realistic effect from a distance, but up close, the brushstrokes and textures tell the story of the messy, hands-on process. It’s a truer reflection of life - imperfect but real.

Having worked mostly on New Zealand farms and in agricultural technology, rural scenes and subjects (especially cows!) are at the heart of my work. In 2024, I returned to my native UK, where I'm now enjoying learning about the local art scene and exploring new opportunities.

To see my whole collection of work and keep up to date with my newest paintings, follow me on Instagram @PaintingsbyLM