endless days on the water with the sun, the wind, the rain on your face

kate ironside artist rowing paintings

"Evocative, soulful, peaceful and, at the same time, full of life"

kate ironside artist rowing paintings
Early mornings, winter circuits, sunburn and tan lines, racing, running partners and stories to re-live forever

I rowed in Putney at Thames Rowing Club for 10 years, firstly to make friends when I moved to London and then because I discovered how addictive rowing is. 

That was before work and then life took over and the space for rowing shrank to nothing. 

Now I live in Wales, and am bringing my nostalgic memories of the river, rowing and the landmarks of the Thames to this series. The paintings have a dreamlike quality: those endless mornings, the feeling of wet socks on your feet, the ache of quads tired from circuits and the joy of having covered 20k before anyone else has even got out of bed.

 

"Bringing the light and life of the river into your home"

Kate ironside artist rowing paintings

River and rowing series 2024

"Sublime work of heartbreaking beauty"

This project captures both love and loss, grief and gratitude - mirroring our experience of moving through life. A reminder to travel lightly and to watch with glittering eyes the whole world around us. 

There's magic in the water.

kate ironside art
Artist working in Monmouthshire, Wales

I'm an artist, and former rower, inspired by the things that make our hearts sing and souls light up.

If you love being outside, or if you're an overthinker who sometimes need to get out of your head and into your rowing boat, running shoes or even gardening gloves - then you might feel a deep connection to my work. It's for those who look to art to bring a sense of peace because it can put you back into your body. It's for the people who look at a bird flying and aren't just thinking how beautiful it is, but are imagining how it feels to fly.

I have studied in London at the Royal Academy, Central St Martin's and the Lavender Hill Studios... but my favourite place to learn is in my studio with the music on and the windows open and an empty afternoon ahead. 

Do get in touch if you have any questions about any of the work on the website or instagram. 

Studio visits can also be arranged if you're in the Usk area (and don't mind very friendly dogs!). 

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