Sophie Velzian is a contemporary landscape artist who celebrates the enchantment and spell of the famous Helford River. Living and working in this unique Cornish location, she is inspired by its clear waters, the soft light and distinctive trees. Working in oil and cold wax she uses rich and muted colours to conjure up its enduring and enigmatic atmosphere.

Her paintings are luminous and expressive, full of emotion and depth. Working in her studio, she builds up the layers of richly pigmented paint and wax over time, creating a history of marks in the layers with drips, solvent wiping and scratches, evoking a sense of movement and atmosphere. Inspiration comes from early morning walks with her rescue dog on the Helford beaches and from swimming in the cold water, especially at sunrise. The colours of dawn, especially the tangerines and blush pinks, are her signature palette. Her goal is to convey the essence and emotion of the places she paints, and to share her love of this unique landscape and the sheer joy of painting with the viewers.

Click here to see Sophie’s work in The Summerhouse Spring Collection 2025.