annabel eyres oly.

I’ve been an artist in some form or other throughout my life.

Aged eight, I was designing and embroidering items to sell at the school fete. Little has changed, I still get a huge buzz out of selling my work - it’s a validation of all the hard work.

I studied Fine Art at Oxford University where I took up rowing, which quickly became my main focus, much to the annoyance of my tutors.

I rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race twice and then went on to row for Great Britain in the World Championships and the Barcelona Olympics.

I funded my international rowing career through a T-shirt design business which I set up with two friends. It was pre-lottery funding days and we had to work and train, unlike the Eastern Bloc professionals.

Much of my work today is still connected to my days as a graphic designer - I can swing from traditional drawing and painting techniques to minimalist design work. My paper cuts are a natural development, combining the clean lines of my screen printing days with my more painterly tendencies.

I have exhibited widely since leaving university. I am over the moon to be exhibiting in Paris this July, as an Olympian Artist at the Palais de Tokyo during the Games.

Between painting, my husband and I run a retreat centre at our home in the New Forest. We also take groups out on adventure swims around our local beaches.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to make a purchase or commission a unique piece of art, or to join us on a retreat or swim.