The Art Shrew Podcast

A lovely chat with popular collage artist Tricia Crowther and Cherie Jerrard - the mastermind behind Drawn Contemporary - an elevated art fair experience at Shrewsbury museum & art gallery coming on the 21/22 November. Tricia’s thoughtful practice encompasses the use of vintage papers and books with a nostalgic mid-century aesthetic that is highly collectible - she also makes mini ‘prop art’ assemblage boxes that are also very popular. We discuss her use of pattern and repeated motifs as well as titles and how she approaches her collage works.

Welsh artist Rob Lawton talks to the Shrew on the eve of his latest solo show ‘Souvenirs’ at the Gateway Gallery - his reward for being the overall winner of The Salopian Open 2025. Rob was also a finalist for the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize in 2025 - and it’s clear to see why in this contemporary and intimate collection of beautiful small paintings and sculptures that draw you in with their warm, muted colour palette. The show runs until mid November 2026 after which Rob will be one of the four judges making up the panel for this years´ Salopian Open.

A quick whizz around the current exhibition at the Gateway Gallery in Shrewsbury of the Shropshire Social Studios group with kiwi artist Anne Bremridge (yes there are 2 x R´s and we established that’s quite hard to say!) this is a warm and accessible exhibition tied to the gorgeous Shropshire landscape ´The Lie of the Land´ which everyone can appreciate and enjoy - get down there weekdays only 9-4 and catch this show while it’s on until mid October.

Lucy the Art Shrew is back for season 3 with an in-depth discussion in the South Shropshire hills at the gorgeously secluded personal studio of renowned artist Clae (formerly Clae Eastgate). This takes place ahead of her solo show ‘Connection’, a new body of work featuring calm meditative abstracts at Swan Hill Studios previewing 24th September 2026 and open for the following week. This is a full and frank chat covering a whole range of topics including art education, travel, the limits of the art world, finding your artistic voice, what framing can add, commercial value and the inner depth of meaning. Enjoy!

A rescheduled interview (due to hospitalisation of the shrew!) recorded via audio web link to west Wales with the four members of the hugely talented and creative Chapman Family currently exhibiting at the Gateway Gallery Shrewsbury. Contemporary portrait painter Natalie Chapman, landscape artist Lola Chapman, surrealist portrait artist Harriet Chapman and photographer Rory Chapman.

A quite frankly lovely chat with these two dedicated and insightful artists who have come together at Swan Hill Studios to produce an exhibition that investigates landscape, observation and the elements. Abstract painting, installation, conceptual art and textiles come together with a shared use of found and made materials and a meditative approach to finding stillness in the heart of the outdoors.

The loveliest man in comics Mike Perkins talks all things superhero with Lucy on the eve of his solo show at Swan Hill. His impressive CV covers a who’s who of characters for the biggest names in the industry. Learn about his process, his inspiration and everything he loves about drawing comics.

A lively chat with absolute gem of a human Welsh illustrator and printmaker Rhi Moxon - whose gorgeous large-scale screenprint is available to purchase in the cafe of the Gateway Gallery.

Globally famous contemporary ceramicist Katharine Morling talks to Lucy in her studio about exhibitions, her life and her CIC Prema clay which helps vulnerable and disadvantaged women through art.

Emerging artist Emma Boulton AKA Emski Artski (instagram) talks to the podcast about rediscovering her passion for art, the vibrancy and welcoming nature of the Shrewsbury art scene. We discuss her urban sketches and architecture-inspired work at her studio in Shrewsbury in advance of her new show upstairs at the Bear Steps Gallery May half term 2026