An Artistic Journey Through Nature
Cherryl Angela Fountain is an English artist specializing in still life, landscape, and botanical art. Born in 1950 in Lincolnshire, her work is deeply connected to the rural environment of east Kent, where she grew up as the daughter of a gamekeeper. Her paintings often reflect themes of farming, country life, and botanical gardens. As an established figurative artist, she possesses a particular interest in colour combinations, frequently incorporating subjects such as taxidermy, fossils, exotic plants, and vegetables into her still life compositions.
Her academic foundation includes studying fine art at the University of Reading, graduating in 1972, and later attending the Royal Academy Schools between 1975 and 1977. During her career, she received significant international opportunities, including a bursary from the Government of Italy to study painting and art history in Perugia, and a bursary from the Richard Ford Foundation to study masterpieces in Madrid.
Exhibitions and Recognitions
Fountain has achieved notable success within the British art community, with her work accepted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on 28 occasions between 1975 and 2013. Her botanical contributions have also been featured at prestigious events like the Hampton Court Flower Show and the Chelsea Flower Show. Her paintings are held in several permanent collections, including:
- The Museum of Modern Art, Wales
- The National Trust, with works located at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Nymans Estate, Mount Stewart, and Barrington Court
In addition to her exhibition history, she has been recognized with several awards, such as the St Cuthberts Mill Award from the Society of Botanical Artists in 2017 and a Certificate of Exhibiting Excellence in 2019. Beyond her studio practice, she spent many years teaching art and design.
