Based in Devon and deeply connected to the landscapes of the South West, Nigel Waters approaches painting as an act of immersion. Working predominantly en plein air, his semi-abstract compositions respond directly to the shifting atmospheres of coastline, moorland and weather, translating the physical energy of the landscape into expressive fields of colour and gesture. Influenced by the immediacy of Abstract Expressionism, the vivid palettes of Fauvism and the legacy of St Ives Modernism, Waters creates works that sit between observation and emotional response, capturing not simply the appearance of a place, but its movement, rhythm and unpredictability.
A graduate of Plymouth University with a First Class Honours degree in Fine Art, Waters has continued to develop a practice rooted in the elemental forces of nature and the transformative potential of paint itself. His recent Dartmoor residency at Bernard’s Acre in Belstone, supported in part by Arts Council England and organised by Mayes Creative, further expanded this dialogue between landscape, history and abstraction, resulting in works that explore cycles of rebirth, memory and geological time.
In this conversation with The FLUX Review, Waters discusses the influence of the South West coastline, the legacy of the St Ives School, the instinctive rhythms of plein air painting and his ongoing exploration of colour, movement and the raw emotional power of the natural world.
Are you self-taught, or did you undertake formal artistic training?
I’m a graduate professional artist with a BA Fine Art First Class Honours Degree from Plymouth University.
How would you define your visual language or conceptual approach?
My paintings are Semi-Abstract Expressionist In Style and are inspired by landscapes and seascapes. I also use a Fauvist style colour technique in my work. I work mainly en Plein air.
Can you describe your creative process from conception to completion?
My work is a vibrant exploration of the seascape, abstracted through the lens of Abstract Expressionism and Fauvism. Drawing inspiration from the ever-changing power of the sea and changing landscape and the shifting moods of weather, I strive to capture not just a place, but an experience, one that is different every time I return to the shoreline.
Some of these submitted works were created on an artist residency with @mayescreative based in Belstone Dartmoor in March 2026 and are about the rebirth of the landscape from the Neolithic to the present day. With neolithic Kestor and appearing in the painting with a forest set in the present day.
Working en plein air, I immerse myself in the environment, responding directly to the light, atmosphere, and elemental energy around me. Colour theory guides my choices, but intuition leads my hand: each mark is a spontaneous reaction to the moment, shaped by the wind, the salt air, and the rhythm of the waves. My process is rooted in expressive, gestural mark making, allowing the painting to evolve organically as I layer bold hues and dynamic forms.
Influenced by the emotional immediacy of Abstract Expressionism and the vivid palettes of Fauvism, I use colour and texture to evoke the vitality and unpredictability of the sea. My goal is to create work that invites viewers to feel the raw energy of nature and to experience the wonder of a landscape in constant flux. Ultimately, my paintings are a celebration of movement, colour, and the transformative power of the natural world, each one a unique response to the sea’s endless capacity for change.
Does narrative, symbolism, or storytelling play a role within your work?
No I do not use narrative or storytelling in my work.
Which artists have most influenced you historically or contemporarily and why?
The Abstract Expressionists in terms of fast and expressive mark making. The Fauvists in terms of vivid colours in all my work often incorporating false colour to convey light and emotion,. The St Ives Modernist Artists from the 1950-s – Present Day. I am very inspired by the abstract art history of St Ives and the environment it was created in a regular visitor to paint in the area.
What personal, cultural, or environmental influences shape your practice?
The changing seascape on the SW coast path. The culture of St Ives Modernist Abstract Art in the SW of England.
Where is your studio based, and how does the space inform your creativity?
My Studio is based in the Blackdown Hills Near Honiton In Devon where I grew up I am inspired by the surrounding remote landscape. My website www.nigelwatersart.co.uk has a full exhibition history, publication history and record of awards and prizes.
Do you have any rituals or rhythms that anchor your studio practice?
I am predominantly a plein air painter, I listen to music while painting that often determines my speed an rhythm of work. I walk extensively in the landscape and visually record what I see before starting work.
Where can collectors encounter or acquire your work?
I am represented By Artisan Gallery In Exmouth Devon
I am an associate member of the Penwith Gallery St Ives and Regularly exhibit there.
I am also a member of the Teignmouth Art Society and TAAG Teignmouth and regularly exhibit there.
Exhibition Rebirth in Bermondsey London opens on Thurs 14th May 7-9:30pm Curated by Monica Mardare
