Wild Lizard
Capturing The Lizard
Embedded within the beauty of Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula lies Melanie Chadwick’s measureless source of inspiration.
Her work – vivid, evocative and brimming with life – is a pictorial love letter to this storied landscape. Each stroke, whether in her sketchbooks or on her canvases, resonates with the peninsula’s unique qualities: its wildflowers, its wildlife and the windswept cliffs that cradle the sea.
For Melanie, art begins outdoors. She is a passionate on-location sketcher, immersing herself year-round in the shifting moods and hues of the Lizard. These field sketches become the seeds of her creative process, transforming into a rich array of products and artworks that celebrate the area’s distinct character. From the delicate intricacies of coastal flora to the bewitching beauty of hidden coves, her work captures a shifting panoply of textures and colours.
The Peninsula’s rhythms resonate throughout her artistic offerings. Her Lizard Sketchbook Calendar, first launched in 2022, is a cherished annual tradition, blending her sketches with time. Equally enchanting are her greeting cards, zines and original paintings – each a window into the region’s heart. Visitors can discover her creations in local gems like Fat Apples Café and Tregullas Farm or directly through her studio and online shop. Melanie’s artistry extends beyond her studio. Her workshops and sketch walks invite others to share her creative journey, offering a hands-on experience of the Peninsula’s allure. Whether exploring Polpeor’s dramatic cliffs, Poltesco’s historic valley, or the vibrant harbour of Porthleven just along the coast, participants are guided in the art of seeing and representing nature anew. For those seeking deeper engagement, her April art retreat at Penmenner House is a haven of creativity and inspiration.
Through her filmed drawing courses and candid YouTube vlogs, Melanie continues to share the spirit of the Lizard with a global audience. Her work reminds us that art and nature are intertwined, and in her hands, the Peninsula’s landscapes, wildflowers and wildlife become something to treasure.
MELANIE CHADWICK
www.melaniechadwick.com
www.melaniechadwick.co.uk/collections/workshops
melaniechadwick.teachable.com/courses/