Lucy Almey Bird is a Somerset artist and painted this month’s beautiful cover
What inspires you in your work?
The surrounding countryside provides much of my inspiration. I live on the edge of the Somerset Levels surrounded by stunning countryside. On one side is Curry Moor, which is an ever changing landscape. In the winter months it is quite often under water, giving the appearance of a seascape edged by willow trees, and into the spring and summer the rhynes are bordered by purple loosestrife and meadowsweet, with the wonderful song of the skylarks all around.
Home is also a continuing source of inspiration. I love the comfort of home. I am a collector of stuff, the house is full of pattern and objects that make home a cosy, relaxed and warm place which is reflected in my art. My daughters are also a continuing source of inspiration.
When did you start painting?
I have drawn and painted ever since I can remember but life and bringing up my three daughters meant it took a back seat.
In 2013 a friend pushed me to enter an art competition on The One Show and to my surprise I won. This gave me a huge confidence boost but, again, life got in the way.
I continued to paint around work and in 2019 I was approached by Mid Cornwall galleries who asked to exhibit my work. In 2020, helped by some big life events, I took the plunge and started to paint full time.
What medium do you paint in?
I paint in acrylics on canvas board in my little shed/studio in the corner of the garden, kept cosy in the winter by a wood burner, and the door wide open in summer to get the most out of the garden.
The painting on the cover of Somerset Life this month is just beautiful. What made you paint it?
Daily walks with my dogs Clover and Pogo are a big part of my day and often provide inspiration for my paintings. We were following a well-trodden favourite walk one evening through a small wildflower meadow we call the orchid field when I was struck by the contrast of the pinks and blues in the sky and the crispness of the air. As I stood taking it in two deer dashed across the field ahead of us, hopping and leaping with effortless grace, with their flashes of white bobbing up and down.
What are some of your favourite places to visit in Somerset and why?
A favourite day out for me and my daughters is a trip to the town of Glastonbury with its colourful people, shops and cafés.
Burrow Mump is a short distance away and holds a special place in my heart. It has seen me through many ups and downs, a wonderful place to sit and reflect with stunning views across the levels.
Exmoor, particularly Horner Woods and Dunkery Beacon are favourite places for walking as I lived in that area as a child. I love the scent of the bracken and driving along the beech lined roads that couldn’t be anywhere else.
As spring approaches, I will be heading for Swell Woods, an RSPB nature reserve where in some years you can see herons nesting. The woodland has a wonderful carpet of bluebells too..
See more of Lucy’s work at lucyalmeybird.com
