OUR PARTNERS
OUR PARTNERS
![Lucy Clayton Raspberry watercolour painting](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/17-scaled.jpg")
Kent-based, Lucy Clayton is inspired by the world around her, namely sea life, nature and food, with many of the subjects she paints connected to personal experiences. She is particularly interested in how our senses can create strong memories through taste, texture and smell, which is exactly why her work is perfect for homes and, more specifically, our display kitchens!
We have a number of Lucy’s works hanging in our showrooms in Tunbridge Wells, either as stand-alone pieces or as a trio to fill a larger wall space, which our friendly team of designers will happily show you.
![Lucy Clayton Black Cherry Watercolour Painting](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/15-scaled.jpg")
“The inspiration behind my seafood paintings comes from holidays spent at the beach rock pooling and a fascination of fishmongers’ counters. I’m very drawn to colour, pattern and texture and the seaside smells remind me of people, places and happy moments in my life.
My process begins with an observational drawing so that I can understand the subject’s patterns, textures and tones. I select certain lines or areas and print them onto watercolour paper using the blotted line technique. It creates unique unexpected marks that add texture to my work. Once dry, I build up layers of watercolour washes that create depth and tone.”
This trio of paintings is hanging in our new basement display, Urban Vibe in Tunbridge Wells. Here, Lucy tells us more about her inspiration behind the paintings.
“One of my favourite childhood memories was going mackerel fishing off Barmouth with my family. Seeing the iridescent patterns of the mackerel for the first time as they emerged from the sea was quite incredible and the memory has always stayed with me.
When setting up the still life for mackerel I explored different compositions and used the wrapping paper from the fishmongers to create a diagonal shape with an aerial view rather than lying the fish on a surface.
I enjoy painting in watercolour as its luminosity works well to describe both the delicate changes in tone and the strong markings of the mackerel.”
![Contemporary kitchen design Tunbridge Wells](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rencraft-March-2025-49-scaled.jpg")
“It was whilst visiting Borough Market in London that I first saw uncooked tiger prawns on one of the fish stalls and was struck by their size and markings. I love the hustle and bustle of the market and catching glimpses of the displays of fish through the crowds. Prawns are fascinating animals to observe and I especially enjoyed studying their muted soft pinks that deepen into a rich brown.
“Lobster” was one of my favourite commissions for a private client who has a passion for British seafood and, in particular, native lobsters – stunning animals with incredible mottled inky blue markings with flashes of orange. It tested my drawing and painting abilities, especially trying to understand the blues of its body and legs and in places the blues were so dark I used a daylight lamp up close to understand the shape of the body.”
![Rencraft kitchen House of Hackney wallpaper](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/wowwithwallpaper-scaled.jpg")
As well, as Lucy’s art, we also have paintings by other local talent such as Georgie Stephens and Stephen Rose on display, alongside ceramics by our favourite Cornish potter, Chris Prindl.
If you would like to learn more, our friendly team are on hand to show you around, so why not pop in to 81, Calverley Road on Monday – Friday between 9am – 5.30pm or on Saturdays from 9.30am – 5pm.
If you would like to make an appointment, please call 01732 762682 or email hello@rencraft.co.uk
