“I find that there is no substitute for direct observation. I paint best when I am immersed in the landscape that I am painting. There are colours and subtleties in nature that are so extraordinary that the human mind has little chance of recreating them in the studio. The direct effects of light and atmosphere can only ever be hinted at in a painting but there is a greater chance of capturing them if one is observing carefully from life.”
Angie Spencer is a British landscape artist, born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1959, and now living in Stroud, Gloucestershire. After a long-standing interest in drawing and painting, she formally studied at the University of Gloucestershire, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Printmaking in 2004. Though trained in printmaking, Spencer transitioned to painting in oils, developing a distinct approach rooted in the Romantic tradition of painting from direct observation.
Her work is known for its emotional immediacy and sensitivity to seasonal change, with a particular focus on water and light. Painting almost exclusively en plein air, she believes that being physically present in the landscape is essential to capturing its nuances.
One of her most ambitious projects involved painting the River Frome over the course of a year, following its 25-mile journey from source to confluence with the River Severn. This project was featured in Cotswold Life magazine and reflects her interest and commitment to documenting the changing atmosphere and environment through all seasons.
From 2023 to 2024, Spencer was Artist in Residence at the Painswick Rococo Garden, where she created a large body of work depicting the garden’s transformation throughout the year. This series highlights her enduring interest in place, time, and natural beauty.
Alongside her painting, Angie is also an accomplished classical violinist. She leads the Stroud Symphony Orchestra and regularly plays with the Capriol Chamber Orchestra and a local string quartet.
Through her art and music, Spencer brings a contemplative, engaged perspective to the experience of landscape, celebrating its ephemeral qualities with devotion and craft.
