Collection: Geri Cottingham

After a successful career in people management, HR and employment law, including running her own consultancy business, Geri Cottingam made a transformational life change in 2018, moving with her husband to the village of Northiam where she could finally pursue her lifelong passion for painting.

A self-taught artist, Geri works primarily in oils, drawn to their tactile, malleable nature and the freedom they offer for experimentation. Whether using brushes, palette knives, or unconventional tools, she delights in discovering new ways to bring her visions to life. Though she has explored acrylics and watercolours, oils remain her medium of choice.

With the support of her husband, who converted their garage into a dedicated studio space, she now spends as much time as possible creating both paintings and other crafts. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, she opened her studio to the public as part of South East Open Studios (SEOS), receiving encouraging feedback and support from visitors. She was also invited to appear as a ‘wild card’ contestant on Sky Landscape Artist of the Year, but the date unfortunately coincided with SEOS 2021.

In 2024, Geri suffered a serious accident, breaking her right arm and shoulder, which forced a long pause in her creative practice. Undeterred, she began teaching herself to paint with her left hand, a challenge that brought new freedom and looseness to her work. For Geri, painting is not just a pastime but a passion that must be followed, regardless of obstacles.

Artist Statement

I tend to paint landscapes based on the wonderful scenery around us and places I have travelled to. The sea and sky in particular hold a fascination for me; anything where there is water is my inspiration. The landscape and seascape of Rye, Camber, Winchelsea and Hastings and our local river Rother particularly provide me with massive inspiration; I never tire of those landscapes, they provide the basis for most of my work. I also have a passion for portraiture, but I paint portraits solely for my own enjoyment.

I generally take photographs wherever I go and use them as a foundation for my work. Rather than copying a single image directly, I blend elements from various photos to create a cohesive composition that captures the atmosphere and essence of the place. Many talented artists in our local community continue to influence and inspire me, shaping how I perceive and interpret the natural world.

My work is quite varied, as I shift between impressionism, realism, and abstraction depending on my mood or the inspiration of the moment. I enjoy the creative freedom that comes from not being confined to a single style.

Above all, I hope my paintings resonate with viewers in a personal way. Whether it’s the warmth of the colours, a sense of perspective, or the feeling of movement and freedom, if a piece evokes an emotional response, then it has achieved its purpose.