Annie Musgrove lives on the Somerset-Devon border working in both oil and acrylic, adding layers to build up a depth to her work in which she captures the elemental nature of the rural landscape around her. She collects information about a place by walking, observing and just being still. Over the last few years her work has become increasingly abstract and she is enjoying seeing the landscape from different perspectives as well as incorporating information from maps to give a sense of place.

Having studied Geography at Cambridge University in the 70’s, Annie Musgrove has had a successful career teaching students the effects of geology and the forces of erosion and weathering on the landscapes around them. 

After living in different parts of the world, Annie has made her home on the Somerset-Devon border. This largely untouched rural landscape and the different seasons and times of day are the inspiration for much of her work. Annie works mostly in oil adding layers to build up a depth to her work. Annie’s understanding of meteorology, wind and wave patterns, geology and the forces of nature that shape the landscape and coastline give her paintings an added resonance, depth of understanding and integrity. 

2020 brought a change in direction for Annie’s work. During the first lockdown she created a series of drawings and prints based on her local hedgerows which have been shown as part of Somerset Reacquainted at the Museum of Rural Life. This work led to the development of a series of films with artist Ann Chester King inspired by nature and subsequently a series of zoom art workshops to inspire and engage adults and children at home. 

Since 2022 Annie has become increasingly abstract in her interpretation of the landscape and has developed a strong use of colour. Deploying different perspectives Annie is able to combine aerial and traditional views of the landscape to enhance the sense of place.

Film making and workshops

Zoom Art Workshops – a series of workshops on portrait painting, still life painting and landscape painting with Ann Chester King for Somerset Recovery College 2021

Film Making – short films made for Somerset Recovery College 2020 and for Somerset Art Works 2020 with Ann Chester King

Sea Change – a series of workshops and exhibition for Somerset Health and Mental Well Being 2020

Atmosphere – a series of workshops for Somerset Recovery College 2021 with Ann Chester King

Series of paintings for projection during performances of Soulful Messiah – A Celebration 

by ADM Productions 2018

Painting workshops for adults at Cothay Manor 2018, 2019 and 2020

Artistic Training 

Painted with: Tess Armitage 2014, Neil Pinkett - Newlyn School of Art May 2014, 

Tom Rickman – Newlyn School of Art July 2015, Jesse LeRoy and Faye Dobinson 2018 

Artistic Training:              Defining Practice Newlyn School of Art Jan 2018- Dec 2018 

                                           Studio Practice Newlyn School of Art Mar 2019 – Dec 2019 

Exhibitions and Residencies

Overall Prize Winner, Ilminster Open 2023

Thelma Hulbert Gallery Open 2023

Prize winner exhibition, Evolver, Yeovil 2023

Brisons Veor Residency, Cape Cornwall 2020, 2023

Royal Albert Museum Exeter 2020

Museum of Rural Life, Glastonbury 2020

South West Art Academy Open 2019

Prize winner Exhibition, Ilminster 2019 

SAC Salcombe 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

ACE Somerton 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Ilminster Open 2017 and 2018. Prize winner in 2018 

Thelma Hulbert Gallery Open, Honiton 2018 

East Lambrook House 2018 

Somerset Art Works 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023