Rona Westwell

Landscape Artist | Watercolour | A Celebration of Place and Heritage

Capturing the beauty, character and stories of the landscapes we love.

Rona Westwell is a landscape artist whose work brings places to life through the delicate beauty and expressive qualities of watercolour. With a particular love of both contemporary landscapes and scenes rich in history and heritage, Rona captures the character of a place in a way that resonates with those who know it, remember it or simply appreciate its beauty.

Her paintings celebrate the landscapes, architecture and distinctive charm of the places that inspire her. Her prints have become especially popular, allowing a wider audience to enjoy her work, while original paintings are also available for those seeking something truly individual.

A Foundation in Art and Conservation

Rona’s artistic journey began with formal training at Manchester College of Art, followed by further studies at Lincoln Art College, where she specialised in the Conservation of Paintings.

This combination of artistic training and conservation studies gave her a strong technical foundation, a keen eye for detail and a lasting appreciation of the stories held within historic buildings, landscapes and treasured places. These influences remain evident in her work today, where atmosphere, detail and a sense of place come together in every painting.

Artist, Teacher and Inspirer

Alongside her own artistic practice, Rona enjoyed a long and rewarding career in education. She taught art and specialist crafts, including silk painting and batik, at Accrington College and Blackburn College, sharing her knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm with students from a wide range of backgrounds.

She later spent a further ten years teaching art in local secondary schools, encouraging young people to explore their creativity and develop their own artistic skills. Her years in education reflect the same passion that continues to underpin her painting: a belief in the power of art to inspire, connect and bring enjoyment to others.

Throughout her career, Rona has also exhibited her work widely, continuing to develop her own distinctive approach to landscape painting.

Inspired by Two Very Different Landscapes

Today, Rona divides much of her time between Sicily and the North of England, drawing inspiration from two landscapes that could hardly be more different, yet each holds a special place in her heart.

In Sicily, she paints beneath the clarity of the Mediterranean light, fortunate enough to work with views stretching out across the sea. The warmth, colours and atmosphere of island life provide a constant source of inspiration, offering fresh perspectives and new ways of seeing the world around her.

Yet her connection with Lancashire remains strong. The familiar landscapes, historic buildings and rich heritage of the North of England continue to feature prominently in her work. From the character of traditional local scenes to the changing moods of the countryside, Rona seeks to preserve something of the spirit and identity of the places she paints.

It is this contrast between Mediterranean light and northern heritage that gives her work its own distinctive character.

Original Art, Personally Crafted Prints

Watercolour remains Rona’s principal medium, chosen for its subtle tonal variations, fluidity and ability to capture the changing light and atmosphere of a landscape.

Whether painting a familiar local landmark, a scene steeped in history or a view inspired by her time in Sicily, her aim is to create work that evokes a feeling as much as a place.

Rona is particularly proud of the prints produced from her original paintings. Rather than outsourcing this process, she creates her prints herself at home, carefully overseeing the reproduction to retain the delicate tones, subtle shades and fine details of the original artwork as faithfully as possible.

This personal approach allows her to maintain quality and consistency while keeping her work accessible to a wider audience. For collectors and art lovers who prefer a unique piece, original paintings are also available by request.

For Rona, painting is about more than recording a view. It is about capturing the atmosphere, preserving a sense of history and sharing the enduring beauty of the places that make an impression on us.