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Town & Country: A journey through the seasons
Mottisfont opens its 2026 exhibition season with 'Town & Country: A journey through the seasons' – a vibrant showcase of Britain’s landscapes and cityscapes as they transform throughout the year.
Running from 24 January to 12 April, this exhibition brings together over 60 works in watercolour and oil by three acclaimed contemporary artists: Lesley Fotherby, Jack Russell and Melissa Scott-Miller.
From the delicate blossoms of spring and the vivid greens of summer to the rich hues of autumn and the frosty panoramas of winter, the show captures the distinctive beauty and character of each season. Visitors will encounter scenes ranging from snow-laden hedgerows and village cricket matches to London’s bright squares and waterways.
Renowned for painting en plein air, these artists respond with skill and sensitivity to the splendour of Britain’s urban and rural settings, recording fleeting moments of seasonal change. With different styles and visions of nature, each artist brings a unique perspective:
Lesley Fotherby
Lesley is celebrated for her atmospheric landscapes and naturalistic watercolours. She is also one of the country's most admired painters of cats, famous for naturalistic cat portraits from life, for which she has developed a watercolour skill of great speed.
Jack Russell
Former England cricketer turned artist, Jack Russell is known for his evocative countryside scenes. Since retirement in 2004 he has become one of the most successful artists painting today with sell-out shows and hundreds of commissions all around the country.
Melissa Scott-Miller
Melissa is a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy Summer Show, captures the immediacy and intricate detail of city life. To this she adds what art critic and journalist, A A Gill described as “a subtlety and a frisson … that transcends both the application of the paint and the image on the canvas. It is a sense of time, the sense of a moment held.”
Watch the artists create
As part of the exhibition, all three artists will undertake live painting sessions in Mottisfont’s romantic riverside grounds, offering visitors the rare opportunity to see their creative processes unfold in real time. Dates will be posted on the website and social media as soon as they are confirmed.
For information on gallery opening times visit Town & Country at Mottisfont
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The garden at Mottisfont
Enjoy every season at Mottisfont, with its ancient trees and babbling brooks, from rich autumn foliage and the scented Winter Garden to snowdrops, the first harbingers of spring and, of course, the world-famous Rose Garden.
Eating at Mottisfont
Go on, it's Christmas! We've got some delicious toothsome treats to tempt you, like Christmas cookies, homemade yule log and our December scone of the month - a delicious goat cheese and fig.
Shopping at Mottisfont
Discover our beautiful sustainably-sourced fashion and homeware items - perfect for Christmas gifting - as well as children's pocket money toys, books and beautiful stationery. Explore our range of local products, from handcrafted soaps and hand creams to unique jewellery and beverages. The plant centre has winter plants and vibrant spring bulbs to brighten up your garden while the second-hand bookshop at Mottisfont offers a wide range of genres too.
The house and gallery at Mottisfont
Explore Maud Russell’s 1930s neo-classical interiors, in an 18th-century house with medieval origins and enjoy changing art exhibitions in the spacious gallery.
Explore the Mottisfont estate
Explore Mottisfont’s diverse estate, criss-crossed by the crystal-clear River Test, and south Hampshire countryside sites of Stockbridge Down and Marsh and Curbridge Nature Reserve.
Volunteering at Mottisfont
Find out how you could join us - whether you're looking to make new friends, develop skills or simply want to be part of something you're passionate about.
