03/05/2026
‘The Garden Room’ by Jill Hudson, showing online in ‘True Colours’, is a painting with a story behind it.
It started with inspiration from fellow ‘True Colours’ exhibitor , along with her wonderful image of Eric Ravilious’ work, ‘Flowers on a Cottage Table’ (1937-38).
The composition is inspired by Ravilious’ painting and features elements of Jill’s life at home — an experiment in incorporating narrative.
However, when the colour first went on, according to Jill, “It went rapidly downhill… Even to the point when I thought l’d have to call it a day.”
But Jill persevered. After many reversals of choices, came the idea of the garden room, with the floor as the soil, the wall as the grass, with elements of lupin pattern, the chair — the stripes of the lawn — and of course, the flowers. Only then did it all calm down and start to come together.
The print on the wall hangs above the green chair in Jill’s home. It’s titled ‘The Consolation of Baby Bear’ (Baby Bear has just upset the pudding bowl), by Charlotte Monks. A story within a story.
Lupins are a favourite of Jill’s, as her grandfather used to grow them. Her father inherited the garden, and reluctant gardener that he was, they didn’t want to grow for him. The seeds on the table feature here, as Jill considers maybe she’ll grow some herself.
‘True Colours’ continues online until the end of May, with Jill’s work perfectly complemented by Lucy Burley’s ceramics, including urn vases like the one in the painting. You’ll also find gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewellery featuring unusual stones by .
Song: Avant Gardener by Courtney Barnett
