For more information on Country Living Events for 2024, please contact Ellie Craig, Artisan Growth Manager at [email protected]
We are Rhian and Ian John, or, as most people call him – Mr J! Rhian paints, and Mr J is involved in everything else. He organises all the shows we do throughout the year and makes sure I always have enough paint, canvases, and chocolate!
I was a graphic designer for 25 years, but it all changed when my son was doing his A Level art. I dug all my old paints out to paint alongside him for a bit of encouragement. I showed my friends the results on Facebook, and somebody contacted me to buy my painting – RJP was born! Over the following year, my painting completely took over my Graphic Design work, so I switched to a full-time artist without really realising it. We built a studio in the garden, and there was no stopping me. Mr J joined me three years ago, and we now run the business together.
We live in Stratford Upon Avon, but I’m a Cardiff girl at heart!
I seem to see life in multicolour! There are so many flashes of colours in the natural world, which I like to highlight and enhance. Life with colour is uplifting and makes you smile – who doesn’t love that?!
I don’t really plan ahead too much when I paint. I prefer to start painting and see what evolves. Maybe I’m just unorganised, but it works for me! Very few of my paintings are actual places, but maybe inspired by somewhere I have been in the past or feelings that places have given me. I do work from photos for my animal paintings, especially if it’s a commission of a pet.
I was at a fair a few years ago, and a little boy stood in front of me and said, “Wow, they’re the most colourful paintings in the world.” I think I’d like to take that as my uniqueness!
Apart from the original paintings, our biggest sellers are our huge canvas prints, great for over a bed or sofa or on a big blank wall. They add a fabulous splash of colour and a great focal point in a room. We also sell a lot of the smaller gift items: jigsaws, tea towels, wash bags, all full of colour!
We love the Country Living Christmas Fairs; they are always so well organised and ooze quality as soon as you walk through the door. They always create a fun shopping atmosphere of like-minded creatives, with music and coffee thrown in – perfect!
Just enjoy it, don’t be afraid of mistakes; they often lead to the best-finished products!
Follow your dream; everything is possible if you stick at it. Maybe cliché but true.
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We are delighted to announce that the management of the Country Living Christmas Fair is transitioning back to Hearst UK, owners of the Country Living Brand. For 2024, Country Living are partnering with iconic sister brand, Good Housekeeping, to bring a fabulous new and enriched festive experience to the London Christmas Fair. Good Housekeeping is the UK’s biggest lifestyle magazine brand for women and in 2022 launched its own, annual Christmas weekend festival, Good Housekeeping Live.
Good Housekeeping Live with the Country Living Christmas Market will take place at the Business Design Centre from 13th – 16th November 2024.
The Glasgow and Harrogate Country Living Fairs will be paused for 2024.
For more information on Country Living Events for 2024, please contact Ellie Craig, Artisan Growth Manager at [email protected]
