A year of Plein-air painting at Hestercombe

Our Year of Plein Air Painting at Hestercombe

Over the past twelve months, artists Fiona Brown and Josie Chadwick have been painting en plein air in the gardens and grounds of Hestercombe through every season, capturing the changing light, colours and atmosphere of this special place.

This exhibition brings together a beautiful collection of works inspired directly by the landscape, architecture and gardens of Hestercombe across the year.

Showing daily on the first floor of Hestercombe House, 11am – 5pm
Normal garden admission applies

“We have painted outside every month since October, come rain or shine, and have loved observing the beauty of Hestercombe in all its seasons.

Setting regular dates encouraged us to simply turn up and paint, whatever the weather. From crisp winter mornings to a very wet February, we embraced the challenge—layering up, finding shelter where we could, and always taking time to warm up in the café. Along the way, we’ve enjoyed many lovely conversations with visitors, as well as plenty of laughter.

Painting outdoors is never predictable—the light shifts, the weather changes, and the perfect view can suddenly reveal itself. It continues to surprise us how a break in the clouds can transform a scene and inspire us to keep painting just a little longer.”

Fiona Brown & Josie Chadwick

Josie Chadwick

Josie Chadwick is an oil painter with a passion for working en plein air. She thrives on painting outdoors, responding intuitively to the shifting light, atmosphere and activity around her.

Based in Taunton and a long-standing member of Hestercombe, Josie has found great joy in painting the gardens across the seasons, watching the landscape unfold and transform throughout the year. Hestercombe has become her “happy place”, where her mood lifts the moment she arrives—whatever the weather.

Josie paints or draws every day, working from life rather than photographs. Her subjects range from portraits and the human form to landscapes, all driven by her belief that direct observation is the most inspiring way to create.

Training and Study
Diploma in Oil Painting, Norfolk Painting School (2021)
Drawing and painting with Mo Lancaster (2008–present)
Oil painting with Belinda Ireland (2014–2018)
Further study with James Budden, Andrew James, Luca Indraccolo, Hannah Twine and Debbi Sutton (2019–present)
Workshops with a wide range of contemporary artists (2018–present)

Exhibitions
Taunton Library (2018)
Ilminster Arts Centre (2021)
Taunton Art Group (2021–2025)
CICCIC, Taunton (2025)
Kingston St Mary Art Exhibition (2024, 2025)
Sherborne Open Art Exhibition (2024, 2025)

Instagram: @josiechadwicksketch2026

Fiona E. Brown

Fiona E. Brown has a lifelong love of sketching and painting from life—whether capturing a face, a flower, or a landscape. Her work is rooted in careful observation and a deep connection to the natural world.

Living near Wellington, Fiona maintains a daily reflective walking practice, using sketchbooks and photography to record the light, shadows and compositions that inspire her. Painting regularly at Hestercombe has been a particular joy, offering an ever-changing source of inspiration through the seasons.

She is especially drawn to the subtle transformations within the landscape—the growth of flowers and trees, shifting viewpoints, and the way light can reshape a scene in a moment. Time spent immersed in the gardens and woodlands, alongside the sounds of wind, rain and birdsong, informs her work and sense of connection to place.

Fiona also brings warmth and humour to her practice, often accompanied by her young spaniel, who is gradually settling into the role of “art assistant”.

Fiona holds a BA in Art and English Literature (1982) and has spent many years working in primary education. She has extensive experience leading creative workshops for both children and adults, as well as hosting creative retreat days. She was previously Artist in Residence at St John’s Church, Wellington.

Exhibitions
Taunton Library
Church House, Crowcombe (2022, 2023, 2025)

Upcoming
Somerset Art Weeks (19 September – 3 October 2026)

Training and Study
Online study with Gabriel Mark Lipper (2021–2023)
Workshops with Hannah Twine, Anastasia Pollard RP, Maria Rose ROI, Hollis Dunlap and Sam Clayden

Facebook: @FionaEBrownArt
Instagram: @fiona_e_brown