Lucy Pittaway

Lucy Pittaway is an award-winning British artist, renowned for her vibrant and colourful artwork. She has gained widespread recognition within the art community for her distinctive style, often featuring picturesque landscapes, rural scenes, and sheep characters.
==Early Life and Education==
Lucy Pittaway grew up in the United Kingdom, the daughter of Willie Maddren, a celebrated footballer and manager for Middlesbrough FC. Inspired by her mother's creative influence, Pittaway developed a love for art from an early age.
She pursued formal education, earning a BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design, followed by a BA (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design, and later completed a PGCE. After her studies, Pittaway ran a home-based florist business for a year, before transitioning into a career in graphic design and education. She taught Graphic Design, IT, and Photography at Darlington College of Technology and later lectured in multimedia courses at Cleveland College of Art & Design, as well as Teesside University.
Following a period of travel during which she taught English in Spain and Thailand, Pittaway realised that teaching was no longer her passion and embarked on her journey as a full-time artist.
==Career==
Lucy Pittaway's career as an artist took shape after she settled in Yorkshire. Her vibrant, illustrative style, characterised by the use of soft pastels, gained her significant attention. She was named the Fine Art Trade Guild's Up & Coming Artist of the Year in 2016. In subsequent years, she was recognised with multiple accolades, including Most Popular Published Artist in 2018 and 2019.
Her role as the official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018 was a key milestone in her career. Pittaway released a series of commemorative prints highlighting the iconic landscapes of the race routes. She continued to explore the theme of cycling in her 2019 collection for the UCI Road World Championships, further cementing her status as a celebrated British artist.
Pittaway expanded her reach by opening her first gallery in Brompton-on-Swale in 2015. Due to the success of her gallery, she later opened locations in Richmond, North Yorkshire, Yarm, Keswick, Cumbria, Harrogate, York, and Bowness-on-Windermere. These galleries showcase her original works, alongside Giclée prints, canvases, and a range of homeware.
In 2019, she was commissioned to create an original piece for HRH Princess Anne in 2019, titled *It's a Wonderful Life*, which celebrated the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.
==Artistic Style and Recognition==
Pittaway's work is characterised by her use of vibrant colours and soft pastels, often focusing on the idyllic Yorkshire countryside. Her pieces bring a sense of joy and warmth, reflecting rural scenes, coastal areas, and everyday moments. Her distinctive style is often described as uplifting and illustrative.
==Awards==
Lucy Pittaway has received several awards, including:
- Up & Coming Artist of the Year (2016, Fine Art Trade Guild)
- Best Art Website of the Year (2017, Fine Art Trade Guild)
- Most Popular Published Artist (2018, 2019, Fine Art Trade Guild)
Her work for the Tour de Yorkshire and her cycling collections have been celebrated for their vibrant depiction of Yorkshire's landscapes, capturing the spirit of the region.
==Tribute to Sycamore Gap==
In September 2023, following the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, Pittaway created a tribute artwork that resonated with the public. The piece depicted the tree set against the Northern Lights, symbolising the beauty and loss of this cherished landmark. Due to high demand, over 3,200 prints were sold, with proceeds going towards reforestation efforts. For each print sold, a tree was planted as part of a conservation project to restore an area impacted by larch blight on the Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire.
==Personal Life==
Lucy Pittaway currently resides in North Yorkshire with her husband, their teenage twins, and their Jack Russell, Patsy.
Category:British artists
Category:British people
Category:Colorful paintings