My Story
I’m Melanie Cormack-Hicks, a landscape painter born in the Cotswolds and now living by the woods and sea near Rye in East Sussex, where the light and the landscape shape everything I paint.
I have always had a passion for art and with a fine art painting degree from Cheltenham under my belt, I decided to become an art teacher to prove that everyone can engage with art – it’s about creativity and finding your voice.
I was still working as an art teacher when I rediscovered my own artist’s voice, while painting on a Devon beach one summer.
Surrounded by ink-splattered pebbles, I realised I longed to create evocative artwork that mirrored the raw energy I felt in the landscape – but the fantasy felt a million miles from reality
Returning to my studio at home, I began experimenting, taking risks and exploring materials. I discovered the joy of throwing ink and paint at a surface or squirting on water and letting the inks bleed. I quickly realised this experimentation was part of a process that allows each painting to find its own strength, its own voice, and its own energy.
Realising the dream
I continued to listen to the voice inside my head that encouraged me to pursue my dream, and in 2017 I walked away from the school I’d called home for 20 years and stepped into my new role of artist.
I can barely believe how much my life has changed since then!
Today, I create paintings of the landscapes I love – from magical English woodlands to sparkling Scottish rivers and rugged Devon shorelines.
I make sketches on location, paint outdoors, and spend many hours just observing – not only what I see, but also how I feel.
Capturing memories in landscapes and seascapes
I love collaborating with the wonderful galleries that represent me, Marine House Gallery in Beer, Paragon Gallery in Cheltenham .
As well as exhibiting my paintings in Devon and Cheltenham my paintings also sell regularly in London, Singapore and Hong Kong.I have many international and UK collectors.
It took courage to take the leap , I’ll always be glad I did. The biggest reward is that people really connect to my artwork. Customers often share deep-set memories and feelings that are evoked by my art – it’s a privilege to know that my paintings touch the lives and hearts of others.
View my paintings
My contemporary landscapes and seascapes are on permanent display at Marine House Gallery in Beer, Devon, Paragon Gallery, Cheltenham and Creates Gallery in Monmouth.
You can also buy my original paintings at various exhibitions and events throughout the year.