Glenn painting at a friend’s lovely farmhouse in Dorset

The finished watercolour painting of the farmhouse. Glenn is sometimes commissioned to paint houses and properties for clients.

My Art

As an artist, I am driven by a desire to explore the creation of realistic art in a modern context. I believe that art has the power to transform perspectives and evoke profound emotions. My work aims to convey the beauty and complexity of the human experience, using vivid imagery and elements.

Although a ‘city boy’ by birth, I have always cherished two particular passions: the countryside and sport. I have often found solace in the outdoors, in particular, walking, trekking and climbing. My outdoor adventures have taken me to various locations, both within and beyond the United Kingdom. Whether by the sea, in the mountains, amidst dark forests or beside a cascading waterfall, the beauty of my surroundings and the landscape consistently captivates and inspires me to paint.

My greatest enjoyment is in seeking to create immersive paintings that depict the raw essence of the scene. I strive to infuse my artwork with my personality and interpretation of the light, atmosphere and overall ambiance that only a painting can convey.

One particularly vivid memory is my experience of sea cliff climbing in Pembrokeshire, North Wales. Hanging, suspended by a rope high above the sea, I gazed down at the waves crashing onto the rocks below. The breath taking beauty of my surroundings, transcended the precariousness of my situation, enveloping me in a profound sense of well-being and I knew that when I returned home, I would have to create a painting of the scene, which I did.

Thus in my art I seek to provide an immersive experience, allowing viewers to connect with the artwork and subject matter. This potentially evokes a similar sense of tranquility and heightened awareness of one’s surroundings.

Similarly, my involvement in various sporting activities, particularly fishing and golf, provides moments of reflection amidst the scenery. Whether beside a tranquil river or lake, or amidst the lush greenery of a golf course surrounded by trees, these experiences often inspire me to pause and appreciate the beauty of nature, wishing to put it to canvas.

Whenever possible, I embrace the outdoors, often painting in the open air. However I also find comfort in the familiarity of my studio, whether in Hertfordshire or Dorset. My preferred mediums are watercolour and acrylic paints, but I enjoy experimenting with other mediums, techniques and subjects, drawing inspiration from my diverse experiences.

Glenn’s Art Stand at Essendon Golf and Country Club Christmas Market December 2025

I exhibit regularly at art fairs and exhibitions across the U.K details of which appear on my Exhibitions, News and Events page. My paintings and fine art prints are also held in private collections.

Whilst I strive to recreate the subject matter in my paintings, I also endeavour to interpret them though variations of light, shadow, and depth. My goal is to convey a narrative through my art, aiming to evoke the beauty of the subject matter, whether it be a landscape, still life, animals, or a building.

Original paintings and selected fine art prints are available, along with private commissions for collectors seeking a bespoke painting.

Glenn Couling

A watercolour painting (framed) of a Bungalow in Cuffley, Hertfordshire. Glenn was commissioned to paint this by a friend.

THE ARTIST

About me.

This is a story of an artist’s journey through life, spanning from my youth, progressing through my middle years, to eventual retirement and beyond. As I reflect on this odyssey, I contemplate my evolving relationship with the world of art.

I was born and educated in North London and attended Latymer Grammar School in Enfield. I later studied Law at the College of Law, London.

Currently residing in the rural county of Hertfordshire, I maintain a holiday home in Swanage, Dorset, overlooking the sea, from which I gain much inspiration for my art, especially seascapes.

My artistic journey was ignited at a young age by my father, a carpenter by trade but also himself an accomplished artist, often being commissioned to paint landscapes and other subjects in oils.

Although I subsequently pursued a successful career in law, painting remained a constant source of inspiration and creative expression.

Upon retirement, I was at last, able to fulfill my long-held dream of pursuing painting full-time, as an artist.

I am an enthusiastic art lover with a passion for studying art and artists, frequently visiting art galleries and museums to gain knowledge and inspiration for creating my paintings, particularly landscapes. In my art I seek to explore through paintings, the human experience that delves into the spiritual awareness of one’s surroundings and the wonders of nature.

I use a diverse range of mediums but primarily watercolour and acrylics.

Whilst my artistic expression encompasses a wide spectrum of subjects, including still life and animals, my primary focus lies in capturing the essence of nature in the form of landscapes.

Over the years I have travelled extensively throughout the U.K. on walking and rock climbing holidays. Despite my love of the sea, I have frequently spent much time in the Lake District, Peak District, Wales, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Scottish Highlands. I have trekked through the Atlas mountains in Morocco, climbing the highest mountain there, Jbel Toubkal in the National Park. I also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. These and other such trips have provided me with inspiration in my art and especially my love of wild landscapes, as well as the animal life that inhabit such places.

I sometimes paint subjects other than Landscapes, including still life and especially animals. On safari in Africa I gained a special interest in wild animals, enjoying painting them as well as those of the domestic variety.

During 2025 I undertook a series of paintings, featuring the effects of light on the landscape. However in 2026 I will be exploring ‘looseness’ and simplicity in my Landscape and Seascape paintings, seeking to soften the sometimes harshness of nature.

My style can be described as modern, creative realism, rooted in observation yet guided by light, colour and mood. Each painting is developed through careful layering, resulting in works that feel both timeless and contemporary.

In this photograph I am painting ‘en plein air’ at Arne on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, an R.S.P.B nature reserve that is often featured by the BBC in their ‘Spring watch’ series.

To receive regular news about myself or my art or if you wish to enquire about purchasing an original Artwork or Print, please message me with your email address on my Contact page. Alternatively telephone me on 07973660273. Thanks Glenn

A painting of Studland Bay, Dorset, where over the years, I have often swum or windsurfed or indeed, simply enjoyed being beside the clear blue sea and soft golden sands.