Katy Louise Devon

My background

My work is rooted in a lifelong love of the natural world. After stepping away from a career in the environmental sector due to ill health, I rediscovered my childhood passion for art as a way of reconnecting with nature and with myself.

Spending time with wildlife and coastal landscapes helped me through periods of isolation, and painting became not only a creative outlet but also a lifeline. It gave me a new way to share the joy, colour, and resilience I find in the natural world.

I create vibrant, playful pieces that celebrate the character of each bird, the boldness of wildflowers, and the energy of coastal places. My work is a reminder that nature holds stories of survival and adaptation, and that these stories can bring hope, comfort, and positivity into our own lives.

Ultimately, I want my paintings to lift spirits, spark joy, and bring a sense of connection — between people, place, and the wild beauty that surrounds us.

I've always loved art and photography. I'd spend hours as a kid drawing and painting, with a lot of help from my Dad and its still a shared hobby now. I didn't really like studying art at school as it felt too rigid so I went into the sciences instead.

Collections

Feathers Collection - A celebration of raptor reintroduction

Acrylic on artboard Eagle and Red Kite

My fascination with birds, particularly raptors, has been lifelong. The first two paintings of my Feathers Collection explore the success stories of reintroducing bald eagles in Canada and Red Kites in the UK after human activities put them at risk. I feel very lucky to have seen both of these magnificent birds in the wild and am very excited to see the Red Kite has now made its way to North

Devon. I hope to add a sea eagle to my collection as the birds introduced to the Isle of Wight have shown Exmoor is a great place to visit! Each painting is created from my own photos, starting with a pencil sketch.

Digital Bold Eagle

This piece also started as a pencil sketch. I photographed it and digitally painted it using my finger as a paintbrush on my iPad. So even though it’s digital it is very much made by hand. I really enjoyed the process and found it was very similar to using paint, adding layer at a time to build texture and depth.

Saunton Sands Collection - Oil paintings inspired by a poem I wrote on Staunton Sands beach about loneliness

Saunton Sands

Chocolate, sand and sea. Three of her favourite things.

All that’s missing is a cup of tea, while she waits for what nature brings.

Watching a leaf dance around the sand,

She wonders when it fell if it had hopes of where it would land.

Two spaniels chasing a ball,

The owners walk on while admiring it all.

Seagulls flying high over a stormy sea,

This really is a lovely place to be.

Brightly robed women huddle around

The sauna entrance where warmth can be found.

There’s laughter and friendship, community here,

Their sea swimming ritual they do year after year.

She walks passed them all, at peace and alone,

She smiled to herself, it’s time to go home.

Back in the car she catches her breath,

Her beach adventure complete, now it’s time to rest.

Get the kettle on, bake the bread,

Chores will be done as soon it’s time for bed.

She’ll sit in her armchair, and look at her phone,

Pictures of the beach will keep her from feeling alone.

Every friendly encounter, no matter how small,

Brightens her day and helps her walk tall.

Winters are magical here, so close to the sea

This really is a lovely place to be.

A bit about me

My background

Collections

Feathers Collection - A celebration of raptor reintroduction

Saunton Sands Collection - Oil paintings inspired by a poem I wrote on Staunton Sands beach about loneliness

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