Rebecca Pomroy Suffolk Artist: My Artist Journey

Hello! And thank you for taking the time to visit my website. Art is hugely important to me and has shaped my life, from where I live to the type of work I create.

This is my first blog, so I’m going to take you into my world and where it all started…

Discovering the Spark

Ever since I was young, it was clear that art came naturally to me, not in a big-headed way, but in the sense that I found real joy in self-expression and creativity, in ways other subjects just didn’t offer.

School was challenging. I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made things difficult, and to say I wasn’t a fan of school would be an understatement. But I was always determined to build a career I felt passionate about, and art was the subject I always looked forward to.

Choosing a Path

When it came to university, I wasn’t sure which direction to take. I was confused by all the noise surrounding a career in art, especially the constant question: “What are you going to do with an art degree?”

So I chose a different route and studied Media Studies, thinking it would lead me to the career I wanted. But it wasn’t right for me. A year in, I dropped out. I missed art and the possibility of building a future in it.

I enrolled on a foundation course in art at Suffolk New College, which I absolutely loved, and quickly found myself drawn to painting and illustration.

It just shows how important it is to follow your passions, even if the path isn’t a straight one.

I went on to study Illustration at university, inspired by my college teacher, Simon Wild, who was an incredible teacher and artist.

Norwich Stylee

I studied Illustration at Norwich University of the Arts from 2009 to 2012. It was close to home, in a part of the world I loved, and had a small, creative, and supportive feel. You never felt like just a number.

I fully embraced my studies, exploring different styles and mediums with each project. I struggled at times to settle on a single style, moving from charcoal to watercolour to printmaking, and wanting to explore digital, but not quite knowing how.

I used my time at university to play, experiment, and start finding my voice, which I’m still developing today.

Choosing Norwich and studying Illustration was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I had three wonderful years and an education I’m incredibly proud of.

My First Commission - Walkers

Graduating was nerve-wracking. I went from being in a studio full-time, without needing a job to survive, to suddenly moving to London on a whim to pursue my dream of becoming an artist and illustrator.

I was lucky enough to work in inspiring places like Somerset House, The Design Museum, the National Maritime Museum, Ceri Hand Gallery, and for the Association of Illustrators.

During this time, I also landed what would become my biggest commission to date, working on illustrations for Walkers SunBites and Popcorn. It was an amazing opportunity and introduced me properly to the world of freelancing.

Other commissions followed, including Time Out London and exhibiting at the London Transport Museum. It was scary at times, and I didn’t earn much in those early days, but I was doing it, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Reading

London really shaped my practice, but over time I struggled to find consistent commissions. When I moved to Reading, I took a step back and looked for creativity in a 9 to 5 role, but couldn’t find it.

I found myself in a place I didn’t want to be, lacking direction, and going through a period of depression.

Then lockdown happened, and everything shifted. I picked up a paintbrush again. I didn’t really know how to paint at the time, but I leaned into colour and began creating Suffolk-inspired scenes, reconnecting with my love of the coast and a quiet certainty that I would return there one day.

Suffolk Calling

A few years ago, I made that move back to Suffolk. It’s something I had wanted for a long time, and I feel incredibly lucky to be here.

Since returning, my painting style has evolved. I have taken lessons, deepened my understanding of colour, and fully embraced my practice.

Today, I am known as a Suffolk Artist who creates colourful Suffolk coastal landscapes. I am currently exhibiting at 142 Gallery in Felixstowe, working with Adnams on illustration commissions, teaching art lessons, and preparing to exhibit at the Suffolk Show in 2026.

The future feels bright, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

A Note to Aspiring Suffolk Artists

• Take the leap if you love it, follow your passion.

• The journey of an artist never truly ends, it is always evolving.

• Keep learning. Growth is everything.

• Don't worry about style - it will come!

• Believe in yourself.

• Surround yourself with people who lift you up.

• And most importantly, start. It does not have to be perfect. You might not even like it at first. That is all part of the process.

Rebecca x