Ahead of next appearance at Drink and Draw, we sat down with Martina to talk about her journey- from her yoga and meditation teaching to her studies at the Royal Drawing School, and how all these experiences shape the unique, supportive communities she helps to build through her creative practice.

We’re delighted to welcome Jasmine Simpson as the artist host for our September edition of Drink & Draw!

Jasmine is an artist whose practice is deeply rooted in her heritage. Growing up surrounded by the rich ceramic traditions of Staffordshire, she developed a fascination with form, texture, and storytelling that continues to shape her work today. Her imagined animal forms and myth-infused figures carry a distinctive blend of tenderness and strangeness, inviting viewers into worlds that feel both familiar and otherworldly.

Weald Contemporary is thrilled to welcome the talented Alexander Johnson as the next guest artist for our upcoming Drink and Draw session on Wednesday, 7th May. Known for his expressive style and dynamic use of colour, Johnson brings a fresh and imaginative energy to everything he creates. We caught up with him in advance of the session.

Peter James Field is an artist whose work bridges the gap between fine art and illustration, capturing the essence of his subjects with precision and depth. Whether painting for gallery exhibitions, illustrating for renowned fashion brands, or chronicling daily life in his decade-long visual diary project, his work is marked by keen observation and a unique personal touch.

We caught up with Tom Scotcher ahead of our greatly anticipated Drink and Draw session to talk art, inspiration, and what to expect from the Weald Contemporary Drink and Draw experience!.

Meg’s pieces for Under the Laurels explore the motif of a single figure within a landscape, whether represented by a person, an animal, or a solitary tree. This approach speaks to themes of solitude, simplicity, and the sublime. Her ability to reflect ambivalence—a sense of beauty and loss—is deeply influenced by the environmental crises of our time, making her work both poignant and relevant. We caught up with meg to discover more about her life and influences.

Influenced by folk customs, the Arts & Crafts movement, and artists like Paul Nash and Dora Carrington, Compton’s work explores the interplay between intimate personal mythologies and broader cultural archetypes. Recurring motifs, such as the wooden horse, serve as symbols of familial memory and myth, inviting viewers to reflect on the fluidity of time, narrative, and identity.

Brighton based Freya Croissant is an artist whose work weaves together memory, emotion, and natural landscapes through a harmonious interplay of colour, light, and texture. Rooted in a deeply personal exploration of the environments that have shaped her, Freya's practice spans painting, drawing, and textiles, creating layered compositions that evoke intimacy and tenderness.

Introducing Scott McCracken: A Study in Artistic Balance

Scott McCracken’s work masterfully balances structure with spontaneity. By deliberately avoiding traditional subjects, his paintings emerge organically, animated by a sense of freedom and evolution. Working on multiple pieces concurrently, McCracken fosters a dynamic exchange of motifs and ideas, uncovering surprising connections and ensuring each work achieves an essence that feels both self-sufficient and alive.

Laura Wormell is an artist who skilfully intertwines vulnerability, symbolism, and the surreal. Known for her emotive colour palettes and intricate compositions, Wormell’s work invites us to engage deeply with themes of communication, identity, and perception, challenging viewers to embrace the ambiguity of symbols and forms, and resist the urge to seek definitive answers

To accompany our exhibition Modern Mud at Colonnade House, Worthing, we were delighted to present a sold-out live edition of In Conversation featuring exhibiting artists Leigh Curtis, Benjamin Prosser, and Ben Westley Clarke, chaired by the distinguished artist and writer, the late Timothy Hyman RA.

Cheri’s captivating work exudes a tactile intimacy and a deep engagement with the natural world. Using materials like oil, egg tempera, and glue distemper, her practice emphasises the elemental origins of pigments—crushed rocks, plants, and even beetles.

Stuart Rayner’s tender works guided by seasonal shifts and emotional states are infused with a sense of warmth and intimacy, drawing us into spaces that feel lived-in, cherished, and deeply significant. 

 Born in Nuneaton, England, Greg’s journey began with studies in graphics and illustration, leading him from Leeds University to the Royal College of Art in London. Inspired early on by the bold spirit of Picasso, surrealist dreams, and the intensity of German Expressionism, Greg has since carved out a style that’s unmistakably his own—a captivating blend of British quirk, quiet landscapes, and an ever-present sense of mystery.

Meet Robyn Packham, an artist with roots that stretch from the vibrant shores of Gibraltar to the quiet landscapes of rural Herefordshire. We're thrilled to kick off our In Conversation series with her insights as the first feature among the Under the Laurels artists.

David Surman joins Weald Director Holly In Conversation delving into the complexities and contradictions at the heart of his artistic process. Exploring the often overlooked yet profound truths he draws upon, including the more vulnerable aspects of life that inspire his work. Surman reflects on his fascination with natural subjects and the inherent tension that emerges in his creative practice, a tension he believes is essential to his art. David's works have been showcased around the world, including exhibitions in Hong Kong, New York, Amsterdam and London. We caught up with him in the lead up to his current exhibition with us in Brighton…..

Joseph Dilnot (b.1997) is a self-taught artist who primarily works in oil paint, creating personal mythologies rich with symbolism. His lyrical paintings depict imagined worlds, blending nature, history, and personal memories, often infused with gentle humor. Inspired by the landscapes of the English Channel and South Downs, Dilnot's work often features solitary figures journeying through mysterious, dreamlike settings, exploring themes of grief, hope, and wonder.

In his new body of work Terrain John Harmer delves into the intriguing interplay between our natural surroundings and human-built structures. In his exploration of Sussex and beyond the artists paintings serve as a lens through which he reveals the hidden dynamics and tensions inherent in our environment.

Alice Macdonald and Jessica Jane Charleston have been drawing together since 2016 when they first met at The Royal Drawing School in London. In our current exhibition Looking Glass, we see them deepen this connection.

To continue in the spirit of their collaboration, we asked Jessica to interview Alice for this special edition of ‘In Conversation’

Jessica Jane Charleston and Alice Macdonald have been drawing together since 2016 when they first met at The Royal Drawing School in London. In our current exhibition Looking Glass, we see them deepen this connection.

To continue in the spirit of their collaboration, we asked Jessica to interview Alice for this special edition of ‘In Conversation’