ABOUT THE ARTIST

BACKGROUND

Born into a family of artists, Tilly was brought up in rural Somerset, England in a historic old house. Growing up in a creative household with her 3 siblings - their father sculpting and painting, mother’s famous cartoonist father and creative friends visiting regularly and her elder sister forging her career as a painter, all contributed to her own interest in art. The family was held together by their mother and the house was often bustling with activity, lively conversation and her wholesome cooking. Her parents encouraged Tilly to pursue a career as a painter and during the 80’s after a Foundation Course at Somerset College of Art, she went on to study Fine Art at The Byam Shaw School of Art in London. 

Painting provides peace and tranquillity in her life, something she tries to convey in much of her work and a quality that people often comment upon.

TRAVEL

Tilly has always taken every opportunity to travel, preferably well off the tourist trail. Much of her work is influenced by her wanderings and over many years she has developed a deep love of Africa. Sketching quick portraits and painting outside always attracts attention and she grasps opportunities, using her artistic skills, to meet people and to gain a deeper understanding of the places she visits.

Her fascination with Africa was borne in her twenties on a visit to Kenya, bowled over by the vast and diverse landscapes and way of life of the people, so different from her own. Curiosity then took her to other countries, many sadly now ravaged by conflict such as Russia, Madagascar, Yemen and Mali, sketching and painting as she went.

These days, she regularly spends time in Senegal with her partner’s family, in a coastal fishing village, where she immerses herself in local life, paints and gathers ideas for new work.

Over the years her African paintings have become commercially very popular and are published worldwide in books, calendars, prints, greeting cards and numerous educational and charitable publications. In 1996, she became a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society where she has exhibited her travel paintings. 

SOMERSET STUDIO

At home in her Somerset studio, working in oil or watercolour. The beautiful local landscapes are a constant source of inspiration and, during the warmer months she’ll be found painting in her garden or out in the fields, trying to capture the ever-changing colour and light.

When too cold or wet to work plein-air, she will be in her studio painting still-lifes, choosing unlikely, often utilitarian objects to add a touch of quirkiness and humour to the composition.

Every other year in September, she welcomes visitors to her open studio exhibition as part of the 10 Parishes Festival (details in “News” page).

PORTRAITS

Portraiture has always been of great interest to Tilly. She often works to commission but equally enjoys painting friends, family members and self-portraits; famous sitters include actress Dawn French, para-olympian Ade Adepitan and tennis champion Sue Barker. She also accepts commissions to portray a home, pet or favourite landscape, working from life or photos.

Tilly has exhibited with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and has competed in the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2023.

PURCHASING

If you are interested in purchasing, visit the buy work page for currently available prints and original paintings.

Tilly is happy to discuss alternative payment methods, overseas shipping queries or specific questions re. a particular artwork. Each painting is unique and may have a handmade, vintage or off-the-shelf frame which can be removed if preferred.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Check out her Frequently Asked Questions page for some quick answers.