Sue Higginson-Bell Artist

Sue Higginson-Bell Artist Artist working in graphite, coloured pencil, pastel and oil paints, producing art based on our human interactions with nature and domestic animals.

So when I said I needed a break, this wasn’t what I had in mind! I definitely can’t make it into the studio for the ne...
17/08/2026

So when I said I needed a break, this wasn’t what I had in mind!
I definitely can’t make it into the studio for the next couple of months so I’m trying to catch up with some research but I’m mostly feeling sleepy as my body’s pushing recovery mode. I think it’s the first time I’ve broken a bone so any tips on healing would be greatly appreciated!

Now I’ve recovered from dismantling my half of our joint exhibition Allendale Forge Studios I’d just like to say a HUGE ...
04/08/2026

Now I’ve recovered from dismantling my half of our joint exhibition Allendale Forge Studios I’d just like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to a whole lot of people.

There’s a lot of staff working both front and back of house at the Allendale Forge and I’m so grateful to you all for all your help, and the support of the other artists I’ve met there (both online and in person) has been lovely.

I’d also like to thank all the wonderful people who came out to see the exhibition, some from a very great distance, others more locally but via several buses. I would of course especially like to thank those of you who were moved to buy the original works shown above and many prints and cards too. Each sale is greatly appreciated and helps to pay the bills!

There’s also a lot of thoughtful people who have helped by sharing posts and getting the news of the exhibition out to a wider audience, and liking and commenting on posts, and I’d like to thank you all too for your kindness of spirit and support.

Last but not least, of course, I’d like to thank my fabulous co-exhibitor and the expert picture hanger for their wonderful support and joyful company throughout it all.

🙏🏼 THANK YOU! And here’s looking forward to whatever comes next!

It’s the last couple of days of my exhibition with Allendale Forge Studios Northumberland so I’m looking to future plan...
29/07/2026

It’s the last couple of days of my exhibition with Allendale Forge Studios Northumberland so I’m looking to future plans and new paintings. Luckily I have a big pile of beautiful sketchbooks from Felicity Bristow to fill. The next series of pictures will require a lot of preparation work so there’s lots of experimental drawing going on. There’ll be wildlife but not as you know it.

Blink and you’ve missed it, the kingfisher is a bird I’ve heard many people say they want to see but haven’t managed to ...
26/07/2026

Blink and you’ve missed it, the kingfisher is a bird I’ve heard many people say they want to see but haven’t managed to find one. Such a flash of blue and orange brilliance when they’re flying, we came across this one while walking along the river Frome. It posed very nicely, returning to the same perch after a tasty spot of fishing.

Drawing available Allendale Forge Studios at my joint Wet and Wild Exhibition with only until Friday morning. Gallery open 10-4 each day.

Where I grew up there were more rabbits than hares so seeing a hare was a special occasion. They’re much more common wh...
24/07/2026

Where I grew up there were more rabbits than hares so seeing a hare was a special occasion. They’re much more common where we live now but I still feel privileged every time I see one. This hare challenged us to a boxing match on a walk near an old burial mound, long hidden in some woodland around the Cumbrian / Northumberland border. I always find hares appear slightly otherworldly and can understand why they are linked to so many magical folk tales.

I’m so delighted that “Peewit” flew off to a loving new home this weekend but “The Jester” is still seeking his forever ...
20/07/2026

I’m so delighted that “Peewit” flew off to a loving new home this weekend but “The Jester” is still seeking his forever home.

I was in my early teens when we first went to the Farne Islands on one of the old wooden tour boats. I recall there was quite a swell so it was a rough trip! There’s something magical about the first time you see a puffin - or Tommy Noddy in local parlance. My brain was asking how on earth did something so fast, colourful and full of character come to exist. Their fancy bills and black and white garb always remind me of court jesters - the jester of the seas.

“The Jester” Coloured pencil on A3 paper, mounted and framed, £595 from Northumberland, from now until 31st July 2026, if they don’t fly sooner!

A really big thank you to everyone who has been to visit the Wet and Wild exhibition in Northumberland so far, especial...
18/07/2026

A really big thank you to everyone who has been to visit the Wet and Wild exhibition in Northumberland so far, especially the wonderful people who have supported us by buying original artworks, prints and cards. We so appreciate you!
And if you haven’t been down yet you just have this week and next left to see what and have been up to!

I was planning on sharing my three conker drawings today but have just discovered one has sold! So there’s now just two...
17/07/2026

I was planning on sharing my three conker drawings today but have just discovered one has sold! So there’s now just two left at Northumberland. Medium size “Conkered” with two lovely rusty coloured conkers and small “Conkering Hero” with a single rusty conker. Ripe and shiny but still in their prickly shells. In case you hadn’t guessed, Autumn is my favourite time of year!

Wet and Wild co-exhibition with continues until 31st July, open daily from 10-4.

I always find adders are a bit like marmite - folks love ‘em or hate ‘em. I love to see them but always treat them with...
16/07/2026

I always find adders are a bit like marmite - folks love ‘em or hate ‘em. I love to see them but always treat them with a healthy respect and give them space to go about their business. This guy was beautiful, just hanging out in the reeds, looking fabulous in his bluish silvery scales. The reference photograph was courtesy of my partner’s long lens which nicely gives the effect of feeling like you have direct eye contact without risking a bite on the nose!

“Snake Eyes” original pastel and coloured pencil on pastelmat. Available framed for £295 Northumberland, in the Wet and Wild co-exhibition with my lovely friend

Sending many thanks to Kate and Rosie at the Scottish Ornithological Club at Aberlady yesterday for a wonderful introduc...
05/11/2025

Sending many thanks to Kate and Rosie at the Scottish Ornithological Club at Aberlady yesterday for a wonderful introduction to their bird archives. It was such a privilege to see so many historical records and some of Donald Watson’s meticulous drawings and notes. I’m feeling very inspired to make some work based on what nature collection might be in our current age when both the number of species and the number of each species are decreasing.

Thank you also to Visual Arts Scotland for arranging this wonderful opportunity. I hope I can make something worthy of exhibition next year!

Address

Waterston House
Aberlady
EH32 0PY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sue Higginson-Bell Artist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category