Behind-the-Scenes of the Pursuing Pleasure Collection
Ben & myself (Katia) with Louise and partner Craig
The road from Marbella to the UK isn’t short, but it offered something far more valuable than a straightforward journey home. With Becky Smith’s first international exhibition complete and the artworks carefully packed, we had the opportunity to pause in the stunning area of Peyriac De Mer, France and step into Louise Dear’s display studio, where she was working on her new Pursuing Pleasure collection.
I always find there's an intimacy to these visits, the scent of paint, the hum of ideas, the quiet privilege of seeing new works before they ever leave the easel. For me, it’s a reminder of why we travel, why we make time, and why our relationships with artists go far beyond exhibitions.
This article is a chance to bring you into that moment with us. Through images, video, and reflections from the visit, you’ll step inside Louise’s creative space and see her latest works as they take shape. We believe in sharing more than finished pieces on gallery walls; we want to open the door to the process, the conversations, and the connections that shape each collection.
My photo's could never to the space justice
Louise Dear in her Display Space
Immersed in Colour and Creativity
Reaching Louise’s French gallery feels like discovering a hidden treasure. Winding through a tiny village of twisting roads and stone paths, you eventually arrive at a converted garage that now bursts with life. The moment you step inside, the rustic brick walls glow with colour, every painting illuminated by the natural light pouring in. Honestly, none of my pictures do it justice. Against that backdrop, Louise’s work feels radiant, alive, and constantly shifting with the day.
This is where she takes stock of each painting, seeing it as a whole on the wall. Sometimes, she has realised a piece is not yet finished, taking it back to her private studio to rework it until she feels it truly sings. Music is inseparable from her process. Louise often begins with the speakers turned up loud, Shirley Bassey filling the room, and her partner Craig knowing not to interrupt until the music stops. Many of her titles are drawn from these lyrics, turning songs into painted stories.
One of the works in her Pursuing Pleasure collection on display was Love Drunk, a painting that began more than five years ago while Louise was still living in Brighton. It has been painted, reworked, and evolved through different versions across her move to France, finally reaching the point where she is ready to share it with collectors. To stand before it, knowing its journey, is to understand how deeply her art is tied to time, place, and feeling.
For us, being here is about more than seeing finished works hung on the wall. It is about understanding the rhythm and intuition that shapes them, so that when these paintings reach our collectors, they carry not only their beauty but the story of how they came to be.
Behind the scenes
I couldn't not
Such a gorgeous space
Every wall has such amazing pieces
Pursuing Pleasure and Future Visions
Standing in that space, surrounded by Louise’s latest paintings, felt like witnessing the next chapter of her story. Each work carried its own energy, whether bold and exuberant or layered with subtler tones, yet all unmistakably hers. To see them gathered together before they make their way to collectors was both a privilege and a reminder of why these visits are so important.
As we spoke with Louise, the conversation turned naturally to what lies ahead. Her process is ever evolving, and she shared her ideas for future collections with a sense of excitement that was infectious. We discussed the ways her art can reach new audiences while staying true to the intuition and individuality that define it. She also reflected on past collaborations with brands and charities, projects that showed her work has the power to connect well beyond the canvas.
What struck me most was the trust Louise places in us to help shape this journey. It is a responsibility we take seriously, ensuring that when her work is introduced to the world, it is done with care, expertise, and the same passion that went into creating it. For our collectors, it means access not only to extraordinary pieces but also to the unfolding story behind them.
It all worked so well against the rustic stone walls
Gotta get the content somehow
Closing Reflections
Leaving the space, I carried with me more than photographs and notes. What stays with me is the energy of the space, the colour against the stone, the warmth of conversation, and the privilege of being invited into a space where an artist's ideas take form.
For us at Wyecliffe, this is what it means to represent an artist. It is about standing beside them in their journey, understanding the rhythm of their process, and ensuring that every work we bring to our collectors carries its full story. Louise’s new pieces are a testament to her bold spirit and her ability to create art that feels alive.
As her journey continues, we are proud to be the ones to share it with you. The works that begin in these quiet, radiant spaces will soon find their way into collections around the world, and we look forward to revealing them, one chapter at a time.
Louise Dear’s is one of colour, music, and fearless creativity that continues to captivate collectors around the world.
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Becky Smith's First International Exhibition
Find out why we were in Marbella before visiting Louise Dear in our Becky Smith Viva La Vida exhibition article.
