Biography

I am Petra Rönnegard Hewitt, an artist working primarily in oils and mixed media, using my fingers and a palette knife to create bold, expressive landscapes. My style is fast, fluid, and intuitive, led by movement, mood, and a deep emotional connection to the natural world. There’s something instinctive about working directly with my hands; it allows me to engage fully with the energy and texture of the scene.

While much of my inspiration comes from Scotland’s dramatic coastlines, my work also draws from the wider landscape, windswept moors, mist-covered lochs, mindful woodland walks, or the rugged beauty of the Highlands. These places hold a raw, untamed power that continues to pull me in. I aim to capture not just what these landscapes look like, but how they feel, the shifting weather, the solitude, the sense of timelessness.

I always carry a sketchbook and pens, using them as a visual diary to capture fleeting impressions and moments of inspiration. Whether it’s a quick study of the light on a hillside or a storm moving across the sea, these sketches are an essential part of my process. They often become the foundation for larger pieces in the studio.

I rarely plan a painting in the traditional sense. Instead, I respond to memory, atmosphere, and feeling, layering oils with fingers and knife in a process that’s as physical as it is creative. It’s messy, immediate, and deeply personal.

Ultimately, my work is about connection: to nature, to place, and to the viewer. I hope that through my paintings, others can experience a glimpse of Scotland’s elemental beauty, the quiet power of its land, the drama of its skies, and the emotional pull it holds for those who walk it.