News

Hotwalls Studios is thrilled to welcome Lucy Mayes, artist, pigment maker, and educator, working under her long-term project London Pigment. Lucy specialises in the heritage of pigments and their practical applications, combining historical knowledge with contemporary, sustainable making. 

She first learned the craft of pigment making while working at L. Cornelissen & Son, where she worked as ‘pigment specialist’ and trained under Keith Edwards (of Keith Edwards Pigments Ltd.), an English pigment maker who has been producing colours for over 50 years. This hands-on apprenticeship laid the foundations for her practice, alongside art degrees at The Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University & The Royal College of Art. 

Lucy began creating pigments from materials found across London, hence the name London Pigment, using plants and minerals sourced from local waste streams. For the past two years, she has been living in Portsmouth, where she has been exploring the colour landscape of Hampshire. This research has resulted in bespoke colour charts, pigments, and inks – all of which are now available from her new studio at Hotwalls.

Her practice encompasses making pigments and inks, which are available for purchase from Studio 11 and from L. Cornelissen & Son in Bloomsbury, London. She also undertakes commissions for bespoke pigments and interior wall paints, having previously worked with institutions such as the Royal Cornwall Museum and Sheffield Museums, where historical research is interwoven with colour production. Her paintings and sculptures, made using her own pigments, have been exhibited with Bosse & Baum, as well as with Sheffield Museums. 

Her craft is grounded in sustainable practice, using non-toxic raw materials and upcycled sources such as brick and roofing slate. This approach is exemplified in her Waste Stream Series, a body of work supported by Heritage Crafts, which explores the creative potential of discarded and overlooked materials.

If you’re intrigued by the heritage craft of pigment making, please do pop into her studio – Lucy will be delighted to show you her historical pigment collection and specialist machinery.

To find out more about Lucy and her practice please visit her page here – which has links to her website and information about her recently published book as well as workshops!

Please contact her at info@londonpigment.com

We know, we know, there’s loads of dates and times for the Creative Markets this year. That just means loads more great opportunities to meet, connect and buy from the amazing creatives!

So here is all you need to know about the 2025 Hotwalls Festive Creative Market season – in date order. Mulled wine will be served by The Canteen on all days from their outdoor chalet as part of the market 🙂

Saturday 29th November – 10am – 4pm

Sunday 30th November – 10am – 4pm

Thursday 4th December – 12pm – 6pm

Friday 5th December – 12pm – 6pm

Saturday 6th December – 10am – 4pm

Sunday 7th December – 10am – 4pm (+ OPEN STUDIOS)

Thursday 11th December – 12pm – 6pm

Friday 12th December – 12pm – 6pm

Saturday 13th December – 10am – 4pm

Sunday 14th December – 10am – 4pm

You may have noticed a change in our studio line-up if you’ve been down to visit Hotwalls recently. Last month we welcomed a new artist Charlotte aka Star Girl Sweet Willow into the fold as she has taken up residency in Studio 12 (previously Annie Flitcroft).

Charlotte has been no stranger to Hotwalls having previously been a demonstrator at our Creative Markets as well as Guest Artist in the Round Tower. Earlier this year Charlotte returned to both the Spring and Summer Creative Markets this time as a successful stall holder.

Star Girl Sweet Willow is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans the realms of ceramics, illustration and fibre arts. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, mythical creatures, literature, love and music, each piece is created by hand whilst favouring an earthy colour palette. Charlotte’s experience of chronic pain deeply influences her creative voice, making her art a space for expressing grief and healing.

It’s safe to say that Star Girl Sweet Willow has been enjoying finding an audience and we look forward to supporting her and being a part of her creative journey.

Studio 12: Star Girl Sweet Willow – Hotwalls Studios