Discover the Art of Ione Harrison
Vibrant watercolours, inspiring workshops and a welcoming gallery at Wath Court Hovingham
Celebrated for her atmospheric watercolours, Ione’s work captures shifting skies, moorland haze, and the shimmer of light through trees. ‘I want people to pause and connect,’ she explains. ‘There’s a subtle music in the natural world, and painting is my way of responding to it.’
Working with watercolour and ink, her style balances delicacy and boldness. Transparent washes flow across the paper, often bleeding into each other, while darker, calligraphic marks bring structure and rhythm. The result is work that feels fluid, spontaneous, yet deeply grounded.
Her journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. A career in teaching took her around the world, and these experiences shaped her palette and perspective. ‘Living in different countries has made me realise how landscapes shape not just the way we see, but how we live,’ she reflects. The saturated, sun-baked colours of Asia still find their way into her paintings, layering richness onto her Yorkshire roots.
Now back home in Ryedale, Ione has created a studio and gallery space at Wath Court, a converted granary that now hums with colour, light and creativity. It’s here that she not only paints but also shares her love of watercolour through workshops, where participants are welcomed into a space where they can explore watercolour’s expressive possibilities. ‘I love seeing people surprise themselves,’ Ione says. ‘Watercolour has a mind of its own – it’s about letting go a little, and that can be incredibly freeing.’
Visitors are invited to browse original paintings, discover prints and cards, and learn more about upcoming workshops. For Ione, it’s about creating an open-door atmosphere. ‘It’s more than a gallery,’ she says with a smile. ‘It’s an invitation.’
For anyone who has ever felt the pull of Yorkshire’s dramatic skies and rugged moorlands, it’s an invitation well worth accepting.
