‘GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT’: Watford artist exhibits two drawings at prestigious London art institution

A local artist has achieved what many can only dream of: having her work shown at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts.

Josie Appleby grew up in Watford and attended Watford Grammar School for Girls. She originally studied fashion at Istituto Marangoni before studying Equine Sports Science. Here, she became inspired by the beauty of horses and began painting and drawing their anatomy.

The self-taught artist is inspired by nature, animals, and the landscape, using expressive painting techniques to create an abstract feel. The artist’s work has been shown at numerous exhibitions, with her latest two drawings now being displayed at the famous Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in Burlington Gardens, London.

Speaking to WATFORDnews, Josie said: “Becoming a mother impacted my work. Travelling with my son, Leo, has been really nice, especially being able to explore other Asian cultures, and being able to teach him and learn myself.”

Josie’s two drawings being exhibited, Pillars of Pines and Khmer Tnaot Tree, are taken from a sketchbook that she worked on during her trip to Asia.

Josie was over the moon that these works were chosen, having applied to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition every year since the start of her professional career.

She continued: “I find it interesting that I’ve submitted these drawings straight from my sketchbook; they’re so authentic to me. They’re really intimate; you have to get close to them.

“When I went to the Summer Exhibition, it was like a giant jigsaw puzzle trying to search for them! But it really is amazing, and it’s a great encouragement.”