F E AT U R E
Artisan
of Art
We talk to the Boro legend’s daughter
achieving goals of her own
WO R D S: J OA N N E B A R R E T T
PI C T U R E S: C HR I S B OOT H
B
the way, was the official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire, not
y her own admission Lucy Pittaway is a wear-your-
to mention the UK’s most popular selling artist for the past
heart-on-your-sleeve kind of a person.
three years.
And there’s no doubt about it, that maxim
It has been quite a journey, to say the very least.
absolutely shines through in the bright and playful tones of
Interestingly, she didn’t set out with a master plan to
the artwork that has become her trademark.
become a professional artist but always knew somehow that
Browsing her gallery in Brompton-on-Swale, just a half
was where her passion lay.
hour’s drive from Teesside, you will spot everything from
“I was always painting and drawing as a child and very
landscapes familiar to our region to uplifting and heart-
creative,” says Lucy, who is
warming paintings, prints and
married to Neil and is the mum of
products depicting the sheep and
“We are very lucky to
10-year-old twins.
cycling art she has become so well
live where we do. It is
“I never had a grand plan, I
known for.
guess that’s what’s part of life’s rich
There are several nods to her
a beautiful area with
tapestry! I always say keep your
Teesside roots there too. You don’t
a plethora of skies,
mind open to all different things,
have to look too hard to spot
landscapes, flowers and see where life takes you.
Roseberry Topping in several of
“I always knew my path would
her works, and there’s a reason
animals. It is a stunning
be something creative, though.”
why.
landscape to work from”
She studied graphic design
Lucy, the daughter of
and
photography at university,
Middlesbrough Football Club
– LUCY PITTAWAY
has worked as a graphic designer,
legend Willie Maddren, was born
a florist, made handmade
in Billingham and grew up in
jewellery and then became
Stockton. She spent many happy
an art and design teacher at colleges in Darlington and
hours as a child climbing the landmark with her dad and
Middlesbrough. She loved the work and relished the chance
enjoying the views from the top.
to be able to inspire young minds – but always felt there was
“Teesside is a really beautiful area and it is often
something missing.
overlooked,” she says.
“As a teacher, I felt unfulfilled in my role. I wanted to
“There are lots of lovely spots, from the coast to the
inspire young people to do something they really enjoyed
Cleveland Hills. I always remember climbing Roseberry
doing, to make a life and a career out of it and I wanted to
Topping with my dad – and he always used to tease me and
feel as though I could really make a difference. But I knew I
would sit with his legs over what I thought was the edge. It
wasn’t on the right path.
wasn’t – but he would pretend to fall and end up just a few
“I was driving home one October evening in the rain, the
feet away.”
windscreen wipers were going back and forth, and I thought
If you are not familiar with her work – and if not, where
‘There has got to be more to life than this.’ I decided to leave
have you been?! – Lucy is the woman who has taken the art
world by storm over the past few years with a signature style teaching and give myself a bit of space and go and discover
it for myself.
all of her own. She has captured a clutch of awards along
tees-life.co.uk
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