Our Artists

All of our artists live in and around Modbury, they are delighted to use their talents in a different way challenging their usual style of painting.

You can meet the artists and their roosters on Saturday, May 7th at 2pm at the Brownston Gallery! All of the roosters will be auctioned later this year. Contact us using the web form on this site to register your interest!

Leslie Howard - “Percy”

Les is a prolific watercolour artist, he has been gracing the shops with his cards, prints, and paintings for many years. He currently has a permanent exhibition as the resident artist in the Modbury Inn, Modbury.

“I was born in Modbury in 1944. I went to Modbury school and left at age 15 and went to become a ‘butcher’s boy’ for Mr Percy Rogers. I have always had a passion for drawing and started to paint in watercolours. I have paintings sent all over the world.I have been a member of the SAC for thirty years. I now have a permanent exhibition in the Modbury Inn.”

Kate West - “Rainbow Rooster”

I was born and brought up in the South West of England. I spent my Foundation year at Plymouth College of Art and Design, then studied illustration at Brighton College of Art. During this time I was a finalist in the ‘Macmillans Young Illustrator of the Year’ with my story ‘Sam and the Incredible Custard Catastrophe’. I went on to exhibit at Centrepoint in London and also to illustrate for A&C Black and Oxford University Press. I also worked for the RYA illustrating the Junior Windsurfing scheme. Whilst travelling the world sailing and teaching windsurfing I continued to illustrate – articles for Conde Nast Magazine, travel brochures for Sovereign and Sunworld, murals for the UK Sailing Academy and freelance commissions.

Now living back in Devon, I continue to work from my studio on private commissions, running a small greetings card business, designs for websites, pictorial maps, advertising work.

Tor Allen - “Claire”

I'm Tor Allen, a professional illustrator/designer based in South Devon. 

As an illustrator I enjoy creating images for: Promotional projects, educational material, packaging, book covers, greeting cards, art prints, commissions, children's art and much more. 

My paintings are a more personal venture.............

Annabelle Gregory - “Bruno”

I Studied at St Martins school of art 1958 -1960, then at Camden arts institute. I have exhibited my artworks with the Oxford art society 1983 -1988 and museum of modern art Oxford, the Royal Birmingham Society of artists. I have been a member of the Society of Women Artists since 1998  

Most recently I have exhibited at Harbour house Kingsbridge,2009 Delamore house, 2011 and 2012, The Brownston gallery 2008-2016
 and the St Ives crypt gallery 2013 with Association of British Naïve Artists. I work in collage, oils and pastels.

Diana Booth - “Rocky the Rooster”

I am so fortunate to have lived in Modbury for many years. After my teaching career I returned to painting with renewed vision and energy exploring a vibrant approach to my art. Our local landscape and coastal areas are incredibly beautiful filling me with awe and inspiration to paint. Visits to my daughter and young family in New Zealand have also provided amazing experiences where the wild coastlines are a wonderful stimulus. Flowers and birds have also captured my interest and become subjects for my paintings.

Delighting in the flexibility, malleability and rich colour of oils, I paint in a contemporary energetic style. I enjoy using a palette knife and experiment with various ways of applying the paint to achieve the desired effect: knives, brushes, rags and fingers all come into play! My work evolves as I constantly strive to capture the essence of my subject and experiment with different approaches.

Regular exhibitions in South Devon have included the Ariel Centre in Totnes, Harbour House in Kingsbridge, The Barn Gallery at Greenway National Trust (solo), SHAF Arts Trail, The Loft Studio at Salcombe, Bistro One in Plymouth (solo), The First Floor at Avon Mill, Birdwood House in Totnes (group and solo shows), The Flavel at Dartmouth (solo), Salcombe Contemporary Art Fair, the RAMM Gallery, Exeter, South Hams Arts Forum Arts Trail and Devon Artist Network Open Studios

I am exhibiting with a printmaker, a sculptor and a mosaic artist at Harbour House, Kingsbridge in June 2022 in a show entitled ‘On and off the Wall’

Rocky the Rooster is named after the first ‘Plymouth Buff Rock-’Rocket’ ‘Rocky’ rooster we bought to keep our hens company, many years ago. Hope he enjoys his time in Modbury! Diana Booth.

Maggie-Anne Smith - “Crowing the Blues”

My background is in French and Art History, and since further exploring painting, drawing and printmaking at Plymouth College of Art some years ago, I have a studio where I can experiment in whatever way I choose, and lose myself in the process. I like to see where the materials take me, and the thoughts, feelings and connections that come and go as I work give meaning to the piece. 

I have absolutely no idea how I’ll paint my rooster - Yves Klein Blue has famously been done before - but I’m looking forward to finding out!

John Ashton - “Rodney”

John has been passionate about wildlife all his life. He started work as a taxidermist while still at grammar school in Somerset and after a varied career, including being a roadie for major rock bands, he settled in Aveton Gifford, South Devon on the beautiful Avon Estuary where most of his subjects live. He is a prolific oil painter, book illustrator and published writer on the subject of ornithology. Johns’ wildlife paintings have been exhibited nationally and he is a regular finalist of the ‘David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year’ award.

Mark Lawrence - “Best Dressed Chicken in Town”

Born in Lancashire and drawing on anything he could get his hands on as a child, Mark had found a passion for detail from an early age. It wasn't until his discovery of oil paints that he knew he had found his medium of choice. Mark's paintings vary from portraits, landscapes, to the occasional set design.

Iggy Kovacic-Clarke - “Chistery“

My name is Iggy Kovacic-Clarke and I am thrilled to be one of the artists participating in this Rooster Ramble. Having grown up in London I was lucky enough to have a vast number of resources, museums, galleries etc at my disposal. From working in the medium of charcoal drawings I went onto 3D sculpture, film, movement and finally onto dance, the last of which I studied in Falmouth. That and music are my two biggest interests, both of which I continue to practice now. I am so excited to see everyone else’s designs in the coming weeks.

“Chistery” was inspired by the Mockingjay dress from the film ‘Catching Fire”. One of Iggy’s favourite musicals, “Wicked”, Chistery is Elphaba’s, the wicked witch of the west's flying monkey. It follows the story of the witches of Oz before and during Dorothy’s visit.

Gerry McAllister - “Sir Henry D’light Feather. Sharpspur.“

Gerry McAllister lives just outside Modbury and opened his “Toy Soldier Emporium” in Brownston Street just before Christmas 2020. Collecting, making and painting model soldiers has been his passion since he was a young boy. Moving to the area he saw a perfect opportunity when the shop at Brownston Street became available and since early 2021, he has been setting up the shop to display and sell model figures and toy soldiers as well as other military ephemera and art work.

Gerry welcomes visitors of all ages to his shop and is always very pleased to discuss the various collections and share his passion for military history. Modbury has been the perfect location for Gerry to set up his shop, given its former history as a Barracks Town during the Napoleonic period. Just right, also with, its sense of community and local people as well as tourists visiting the shop.

This year Gerry plans to commence work on his own range of figures, both sculpting and painting and hopes to attract customers from around the world with the launch of a new website.

Sarah Ringrose - “Chick Jagger“

Sarah studied illustration for her BA(Hons) degree at Newport College of Art from 1974-1978. This was followed by a printmaking course at Morley College, London.

After working in London and Bristol for many years Sarah moved to Devon in 1998 with her young son. Living first in Kingston then Modbury she decided to open a shop, RINGROSE and 21 years later it is still going strong.

Over the years she has exhibited her paintings and prints in galleries and shops widely throughout Britain.  She exhibited at The Country Living Show in London for four years running and in recent years her work has been exhibited at the RWA Bristol.

Alongside running the shop, painting and printmaking has always been an important part of Sarahs' life.

Naomi Ainsley - “Colin“

I am a nurse and mainly self-taught artist. I have learnt a lot through attending various classes and courses. I enjoy painting in a variety of mediums. I worked in watercolour initially but have found the freedom of painting oils on large canvasses a wonderful experience. There is nothing I enjoy more than walking the coastal path with my sketchbook and a flask 

I have exhibited and sold works at:-

• Plymouth Theatre Royal,

• Plymouth Watercolour Society Exhibitions Nine Days of Art- Open Studios

• Ringrose, Modbury

• Harbour House, Kingsbridge

• Salcombe Art Club, Loft Studio