Herd

Inspired by Herd in Newquay, this painting explores how a single splash of light can transform an ordinary street into a destination. Beneath a star-filled sky, the warm yellow glow of the restaurant spills across the pavement, drawing attention away from the sea beyond and towards the welcoming frontage itself.

From Newquay to London

In 2026, Herd was selected as a finalist in the SAA Artists of the Year competition, one of just 57 artworks chosen for the final exhibition from almost 1,800 entries.

The painting was exhibited at Cass Art Kingston Art Space, London, from 7–11 October 2026, alongside work by artists from across the country.

It's lovely to think that a little independent burger bar in Newquay had found its way onto the wall of a national art exhibition!

Herd was also featured in the official Artists of the Year 2026 exhibition booklet, with a full-page reproduction of the painting and the story behind it.

What began with individual paintings gradually became a set. Herd, Rosa and Ralph's are connected through the same owner, but each represents a different kind of social space and has developed its own visual character.