Bev Davies News

We are thrilled to have launched an enticing collection of vibrant new limited edition prints today. The collection includes work from the ever popular Gary Walton, Dominique Salm, Bev Davies, Nicky Litchfield, Jake Winkle, Sarah Jackson, as well as introducing exciting new marine life artist - Giles Ward.

From the late 17th century to the present day the British school of watercolour has become the most universally observed. In 1780, English Romantic painter J. M. W. Turner was accepted into the 1768 founded London Royal Academy of Art, the only professional artistic body of that time. He famously produced grand landscape paintings, and pioneered the use of watercolours in this large-scale format. He continued to reinvent the use of watercolour until his death in 1851, and his influence on watercolourists ever since is undeniable. 

The historical continuance of watercolour painting is most commonly associated with artwork from the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries onwards. However, the origins of this method can actually be dated back to ancient times and many cultures all around the world…even to Palaeolithic European cave paintings, when primitive man used pigments mixed with water.

With the Stag Beetle rutting season starting in May, June is a great time to spot the species ‘in full swing’ before they disappear again in July. Hotspots in the UK are mainly confined to the South of England, with Sussex, Surrey and the New Forest being among the best places to see them. Skilled printmaker Guy Allen has created a remarkably detailed yet contemporary composition featuring a stag beetle etching on a circular litho printed background, embellished with gold leaf. Find the exquisite Stag Beetle Study on our online gallery.

If the notion of springtime reminds you of countryside walks and newborn mammals galloping on their wobbly legs then Bev Davies’ On the Run certainly fits the bill (no pun intended). Her original watercolour painting on canvas beautifully depicts three young goslings, and its minimalist design complements any colour wall in your home.

Since 1987 March has been a month dedicated to celebrating the (often overlooked) contributions of women to history, society, and culture. Its beginning can be traced as far back as 1909 to the first Women’s History Day in New York, when it commemorated the anniversary of the thousands of women who marched in the garment workers’ strikes against low pay, long work hours, and the lack of voting rights.

The antics of our canine companions, and the outpouring of love we have for them is a joyous thing to behold, as are the many depictions of our puppy pals the art world has to offer. From Pablo Picasso’s delightful depictions of Lump, a frolicsome Daschund with whom he had a wonderfully fond friendship, to more contemporary compositions, our pampered pooches prove just as popular on canvas as they are in our homes.

Tell us about your favourite medium... I’ve always loved the transparency of watercolours and the flexibility of how they can be used and they fit perfectly with my vision of what I see in my minds eye.

With the globe’s leading brands each recently announcing their ‘color of the year’ for 2023, its looking as though we are going to be seeing a shift away from 2022’s calming green and lilac themes and a move towards a selection of warmer and more invigorating hues. The popularity of the ‘maximalism’ decor trend could have something to do with this. It is set to continue into 2023, and its focus on bold patterns and highly saturated colours seems to have influenced the colour choices for this year ahead: taking a walk on the more wild and vivid side.

The darker days of Winter are a great time to experiment with some new lighting to help brighten your home, or to add a splash of colour with some new soft furnishings and artwork.