Bess Harding is an artist and illustrator based in Hove, East Sussex, whose work is defined by a disarming sense of childlike wonder. Working primarily in oil paint, Harding embraces a language of mark and colour that feels instinctive, almost naïve—yet it is precisely this looseness that gives her work its quiet sophistication. There is a gentle honesty in her approach: forms are simplified, edges soften, and colour becomes the primary storyteller.

Rooted in still life, with growing explorations into semi-abstract seascapes and landscapes, her paintings hold a calm, contemplative rhythm. Each composition feels unhurried, as though it has arrived naturally rather than been laboured over. This sense of ease invites the viewer into a more intuitive way of seeing—one that prioritises feeling over precision.

Influenced by artists such as William Scott and Patrick Heron, Harding shares a fascination with bold colour and deceptive simplicity. Her work carries a subtle charm—playful yet composed—offering small, luminous moments of stillness in an otherwise busy world.