Isle of Wight artist, Elizabeth Smith, will be opening her studio to visitors as part of the Isle of Wight’s Open Studios event this May.
From 17th to 25th May 2025, her paintings and prints will be on display at Nightingales, Bonchurch Village Road, Bonchurch PO38 1RG.
Rooted in place and imagination
Elizabeth first fell in love with Ventnor in 2001, following many years spent overseas.
Her work captures the distinctive architecture and landscapes of the South Wight, with a particular focus on its charm, character and occasional melancholy.
She works mainly in watercolour, returning to it as the medium that best expresses her view of this Victorian seaside town.
From nature to narrative
Alongside her local scenes, Elizabeth paints abstract landscapes and organic forms, influenced by nature, colour and form. She explains,
“Nature has inspired me all my life, and my drawing, painting and textiles reflect an obsession with the shapes and colours I observe around me.”
Her process blends memory, imagination and intuition.
“I work intuitively, led by colour and inspired by the forms of nature; subconsciously reinterpreting patterns in flora and the exquisite lines and shapes of the human form.”
Her background in writing also shapes her artistic approach,
“My creative process is heavily influenced by my experiences of writing; characters, like paintings, emerge in unexpected ways and places.”
Find out more about Elizabeth Smith by visiting her website, or following her on Instagram.
Belts, bags and beautiful craftsmanship
From 17th to 21st May, fellow artist and designer Sue Lowday will also be exhibiting at the same venue.
Sue originally trained as a silversmith and jeweller, but was drawn to leather from an early age, buying scraps from the haberdashery department of a department store in Hull.
Her journey into leatherworking began in earnest when a friend offered her some tools for sale. That moment sparked a lasting exploration of combining metalworking techniques with leather, forming and patterning the material in distinctive ways.
Sue’s work now features in numerous museum and private collections.
Find out more about Sue’s work by visiting her website, or following her on Instagram.
Together, Elizabeth and Sue offer visitors to Open Studios a chance to explore two unique practices, both deeply rooted in material, memory and craft.
If you are an Isle of Wight artist opening your studios this May, let OnTheWight readers know by taking an event feature like the one above. Find out more.
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