Kay Lacey Watercolours

Vendor Biography

I grew up in Derbyshire but moved to Suffolk in 1989 – so have now spent the majority of my life in this pretty county. I am married with two ‘children’, now both in their twenties, and decided to become self-employed as they started school. It was a big change – switching from the finance and medical sectors to garden design and landscaping, as well as propagating plants and herbs to sell.

I didn’t regret the decision at all: I loved the physical and creative elements this work afforded. My husband and I collaborated on outdoor projects for about 12 years, and recently decided to ‘retire’ the business. Now, my green fingers are dedicated to our own garden, which is about three acres in size and keeps me busy.

I always used to say that I couldn’t draw a straight line – and, to be honest, I still can’t! I picked up a paintbrush during a holiday workshop in the Mediterranean in 2011 and have been painting ever since. Nature is a big passion of mine and, at my small home studio in Monk Soham, I am surrounded by the beautiful Suffolk countryside with its big skies and fairly close proximity to the sea so am provided with plenty of inspiration. Flora is my main influence, but fauna plays a role too.

I had no idea when I began painting that my fun hobby would become a small business. My business name – ‘Kay Lacey Watercolours’ – came about as that’s what I did in the beginning: painted in Watercolour. Now, I like to bring other elements into my work, using inks or a hint of a shimmer.

Initially, my work was focused on larger artworks alone. But when I began running out of wall space, I decided to start incorporating my artwork on gift and homeware items, such as cards and water bottles. I call this ‘useful art’! To begin, I used other small businesses to help me create these products – but, in 2021, took the step to begin printing my works onto items myself. It was a steep learning curve! There was a lot of trial and error, but I’ve come to thoroughly love the process and I feel it adds a different dimension to my art.

Now I have more time on my hands, I’ve started exhibiting my art locally and attending local handmade crafts and art events as well as having online outlets.  I get such a thrill knowing that someone is enjoying something I’ve created, and still do a little ‘happy dance’ when I sell a piece of art or a gift featuring my art!