Homecoming – Art Exhibition in Bude
I’m exited to share that I will be exhibiting at The Blanchminster Gallery, at The Castle in Bude, alongside my good friend and talented artist Sammy Hexter-Andrews in April 2026.
The theme of both our series of works is about us returning to Cornwall, a place we both love but both have different experiences of, hence the title of exhibition ‘HOMECOMING’
When we first discussed the concept of this exhibition nearly two years ago… I felt quite sure that I would create new encaustic pieces that were quite representational of my favourite childhood memories and places… and I have… in part…. However, as I started creating, something unexpected happened… many of the works, actually went much deeper than that.
This exhibition has become a ‘Homecoming’ of another kind… to myself. My spirituality. Deep inner knowing. A visual representation for when there are no words, and instead colours and textures speak for me.
It has been a rich and exciting journey of creativity, which has stretched my expectations, and led to many hours of introspection.
I know Sammy has also had her own journey and experience whilst creating her pieces as well, and we will both be delighted to talk with you about them during the exhibition.
12th April – Meet the Artists 2 -4pm
15th April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
18th April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
21st April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
If you’ve been following for a while and are curious about encaustic wax painting, and how to paint with hot wax, this is your chance to see it in action!
*Please check our social medias, or drop us a message for exact timings nearer the time if you’re making a special trip, as we might not both be demonstrating all day.
Here are a few quick YouTube Shorts to whet your appetite.
MORE ABOUT US:
Julie Wrathall was born in North Cornwall, spending her formative years here on the family farm, before going ‘Up Country’ to work and raise her family. She returned back to Cornwall in 2022 with her husband after her two sons flew the nest. Julie is one of the UK’s leading Encaustic Artists, starting her art career in 2011 after many successful years within the corporate world. Julie has exhibited in the USA, Germany, UK, and has taught encaustic extensively, with collectors worldwide.
Julie takes inspiration from her environment, she has worked and travelled extensively all over the world, visiting many beautiful and idyllic locations, yet found they rarely matched the rugged beauty, freshness, and magnificence of Cornwall. She is excited by creating this new body of work and layering her Cornish roots within her pieces whilst working from her first ever Cornish art studio.
Julie primarily uses natural materials in her work, which echo and compliment the natural Cornish elements and colours seamlessly. She infuses her thoughts and feelings within layers of wax, using a method called ‘encaustic’ painting; melting and fusing natural beeswax, with pigments and dammar resin, building her paintings up in layers, to capture a reflection and sense of the subject she wishes to portray. Blending pigments, flora and fauna, photography and wax, she creates evocative and thought provoking pieces. The texture, and visual appeal of her beeswax paintings always invites great conversations. Working mostly with her intuition, she allows herself to be led through her painting process by responding to what is presented in front of her rather than following a formulaic plan. For this exhibition, she has also explored local plants, incorporating eco-printing methods, alongside local mythology, stories and memories from growing up here, resulting in a body of work in her unique other worldly encaustic painting style.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieannsgallery
Sammy Hexter-Andrews was an annual ‘Emmet’ from 1987 to 2024 when she and her husband finally moved to North Cornwall and finally able to say they were home. Sammy is an Abstract Visual Artist, working in many different mediums but with Abstract art at the core of her work. Sammy too had a previous working life, trained as a Registered General Nurse, worked in local authority and finally as a Senior Practitioner for a Substance Misuse Charity with young people. In 2018 Sammy
started to paint full time as an artist. Sammy has exhibited in London and the Home Counties and sold worldwide.
For Sammy it was her very first visit to Cornwall that created a real longing to return time and time again. The people, the places and the legends along with the folklores all kept drawing her back.
It is Sammy’s process of essay writing that is the framework to all of her art. Essays are written for each piece, creating the artwork in words before paint reaches the canvas. Sammy researches every essay idea as if an investigative journalist would a news story, asking the 5 W’s; What, Who, When, Why, hoW and occasionally an extra W, What If?
The essays not only state the colours that resonate with the theme of each piece, but the meanings behind each mark made for they are all made with intention, and the tools to make those marks, whether they be conventional brushes, or knives or twigs, seaweed, driftwood or moss to name but a few. The essays explore her thoughts and feelings, the emotions she wants to express and the beauty of what she is recalling.
Sammy listens and watches what the piece is saying to her as the artist, therefore the essay is not set in stone. As the painting materialises on the canvas it can change the conversation. At which point Sammy will go back to the essay and state what has changed, why it has changed and how it now affects the piece.
Creating on larger canvasses is necessary for Sammy to be able to express the size, wealth and richness of history that Cornwall as a county has to offer. Sammy’s work is acrylics and mixed media on canvas. She chooses the medium that she believe will give the depth and richness to tell her stories. She uses a number of different techniques from college to handmade stencil work, graffiti spray-paint and a few unusual surprises in between.
Website: https://track5art.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammy_hexterandrews.artist
We hope you’ll come and visit us.
12th April – Meet the Artists 2 -4pm
15th April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
18th April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
21st April – Demo Day 10 – 4pm*
