“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?”

These famous words, written by poet William Henry Davies in 1911, have inspired artists Kate Gallimore, Richard Coyle, and Juliet May to create an exciting exhibition, which will be on display at Winterbourne from 27 September 2025. Read on to learn all about these artists’ inspirations, passions and much more.

For these three artists, the concept of giving oneself permission to stop, take time and look is fundamental to their work. Richard says: ‘The poem reflects the peace and beauty which I endeavour to capture in my paintings. To stop and stare, to take the opportunity to appreciate and absorb the environment is uppermost in my approach.’ Juliet explains how the sentiments in this poem enhance her wellbeing: ‘The process of making art has always been my way of completely being in the moment and taking a pause from anxiety and often self-inflicted causes of stress.’

Richard’s passion for drawing and watercolour began many years ago when he lived in the Lake District. ‘Watercolour, the peaceful English medium, provides opportunities to enjoy the delicacy of the colours within the landscape,’ he said. He sketches constantly in pencil and pen and ink, building upon these sketches to develop content, contrast, textures and tone in his finished watercolours. 

For Kate, art has played a therapeutic role: ‘I took up my artwork again after a period of serious illness and I feel it was an important part of my recovery.’ Kate works in graphite, charcoal, pastel and oil paint, and uses both sketches and photographs to ‘develop the composition, values and narrative around each painting.’

Juliet graduated with a Masters from The Royal College of Art. Her art reflects her personal response to the world around her. ‘It often reflects my desire to step into a more whimsical, safer place with the things I like – stories, people, houses, gardens, pattern and colour.’ She likes to experiment with digital drawing, mixing this with hand-rendered techniques, particularly acrylic and gouache. 

For this exhibition, Winterbourne has provided the artists with a focus. Juliet says, ‘Each of us sees and experiences Winterbourne in a different way and it has been interesting hearing about the others’ responses and what they have chosen to focus on.’

Kate, who also volunteers for Winterbourne, enjoys spending time in the house immersed in the Arts and Crafts surroundings.

‘I have taken inspiration from the repeated floral pattern and animal motifs that are a common thread in William Morris’s work.’

This exhibition represents a unique collaboration between three dynamic and creative people, who inspire, support and stimulate one another. They work in profoundly different ways, but each of them has responded to the poet’s invitation to ‘stand and stare’ adding their own interpretations, so we can all enjoy seeing Winterbourne afresh through their eyes.

The exhibition runs from 27 September 2025 – 13 February 2026, will we see you there?