Devon freediver exhibiting artwork initially sketched underwater

A freediver from Devon is showing her underwater-inspired artwork in a new exhibition.

Louise Scammell, South Brent, said she sketched the wildlife she saw on waterproof paper while holding her breath under the sea.

Once on dry land, she creates prints from the sketches.

Her work is on display as part of the Delamore Arts exhibition throughout May at Delamore House in Cornwood, near Ivybridge.

Ms Scammell said she had always loved the sea and its wildlife, and sketching underwater developed from a love of snorkelling and taking photographs.

She said she found that photographs were too complex and busy, so she found sketching while in the water helped her focus in and simplify the wildlife she was witnessing.

She said: “It’s very difficult with my camera equipment and a drawing pad, floating around to be coordinated and work quickly. It’s a complicated process.”

Along with a homemade drawing pad, she uses graphite to draw.

“It’s taken a few years to adapt and learn how to do it.

“My interest in the sea has a constant throughout my life and it’s been a progression from snorkelling and observing, then taking photographs, and subsequently actually sketching under water.”

Her latest work features the birds that live off the Pembrokeshire coast.

It took a while for the puffins and razorbills to get used to her, she said, even with her wearing a headpiece shaped like a puffin sometimes in an attempt to not scare any off.

She said: “By day five, they got used to me always being there.

“The razorbills were like little bandits diving in around me. I’m not convinced the puffins were fooled by my hat though.”

Once she is out of the water, she works quickly on developing her sketches further and creating lithograph prints from them.

The exhibition she is taking part in is in Delamore Art’s newly-refurbished Carriage Gallery.

It features 11different print techniques, from lino printing to screen printing.

Gavin Dollard, from Delamore Arts, said: “The new gallery has been really popular and drawing people in… We hope to see about 6,000-7,000 visitors this year in just the one month.”

Gavin and Nicky Dollard have been opening Delamore House for the month of May for 23 years now.

About 300 painters, ceramicists and textile artists all have work on display.

However, many of the visitors turn up to see the sculpture gardens where the art is placed amongst a background of spring flowers.