Exhibitions

Louise Adams, Mark Delf, Andrea Durrant and Jane James: four visual artists linked by friendship, place and a shared interest in nature.

In this new exhibition the artists explore their own directions as well as enjoying working alongside each other; from observing and drawing wildflowers round a table to painting outside in the landscape.
The four artists have strong roots in this area and the work on display reflects their backgrounds in ceramics, art and design. Subjects include the natural world, portraits, landscapes and pattern and both 2D and 3D will be exhibited.

All works will be for sale and there will also be cards and prints by the featured artists for sale in the museum shop.

Inspired by Nature will be on display in our Courtyard Gallery from Saturday 22 March to Sunday 15 June and admission is free to the museum and exhibition.

About the artists

Find out more about the artists...

Louise Adams

Louise studied locally at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, where she gained a first- class honours degree in Surface Pattern, going on to an MA in design at the Royal College of Art and eventually became Art Director at The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company, leaving in 2013 to work as an artist, freelance designer and to teach.

Louise’s idea of being an artist and designer is broad and open. She is inspired by nature and biodiversity, patterns and their history, as well as materials and how to use them.

The landscape paintings in this exhibition are mostly painted outside at her home in the Staffordshire Moorlands. They are observations of landscape and nature, changes of colour, light and texture. Louise loves working outside in all weathers, fast and slow, as the light changes, experiencing sounds and atmosphere, stillness and movement. Louise runs weekly classes and workshops in drawing and painting. 

Instagram - @stocktonbrookstudios

Mark Delf

Mark Delf is a practicing artist, with a wide experience, from making and producing large size sculpture, painting and drawing to design and illustration. He studied Fine Art at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, figurative sculpture at the Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture and the Brera Academy, Milan.

Growing up on a farm informs Mark's views about the natural order, the precariousness of life and the balance that exists.

The work on here is a portrait of a farming family who have lived and worked the same land for generations.

Andrea Durrant

Andrea Durrant is a botanical artist based in North Yorkshire originally from Congleton. Although originally trained as a sculptor at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, she rediscovered her love for art through a botanical art workshop. Since then, Andrea has been creating artwork that explores the beauty of plants whilst also highlighting their delicate scientific intricacies. 

In this exhibition, she continues her exploration of botanical wonders and introduces a new series featuring common Moths found locally. Through her paintings, Andrea brings attention to these often overlooked creatures, revealing the hidden beauty in their delicate wings. Her work invites viewers to appreciate the marvels that surround us everyday. 

Jane James

Jane is a designer and illustrator working on a freelance basis in the Staffordshire Moorlands. After graduating with a first-class BA (Hons) in surface pattern design she has produced many commercially successful designs and illustrations while working in several prestigious ceramic design studios and for herself.

At the heart of her work is a love and constant delight in the decorative arts and she finds endless inspiration from history, literature, costume design, interior decoration and the continuous beauty of ever-changing pattern, colour, texture and light found in nature.