Irena Massarella

I am an emerging impressionist artist based in Colchester, Essex, working primarily in oils, watercolour and pen and wash. My inspiration comes from the changing light, atmosphere, and character of the landscapes, coastlines and towns of Essex, Suffolk and beyond. I particularly enjoy painting en plein air, responding directly to the colours, weather and energy of a place.

My interests are broad and eclectic. I love sketching scenes of everyday life in pen and watercolour, capturing fleeting moments as they unfold. Flowers and botanical subjects feature strongly in my work, where I enjoy building images through delicate layers of watercolour glazes. I am equally drawn to architectural subjects, especially historic buildings and ruins, where I can happily lose myself in intricate detail. Alongside these interests, I continue to develop my textile art and have discovered a growing passion for miniature painting, both of which offer exciting new ways to express my creativity.

In 2026 I was honoured to receive Highly Commended in the Cambridge Plein Air Artist of the Year competition, an important milestone in my journey as an artist and one that has encouraged me to continue developing my practice. In 2025, I completed a modern interpretation of John Constable's Wivenhoe Park, celebrating this iconic landscape through a contemporary impressionist approach. The painting is now on permanent display at Wivenhoe House Hotel, overlooking the very scene that inspired both Constable and my own work.

I am Chair of Dedham Art Society and an exhibiting member of both Dedham Art Society and Colchester Art Society. Being part of the local art community is something I value enormously, whether through painting alongside fellow artists, exhibiting my work or encouraging others to discover the enjoyment of painting.

Entirely self-taught, I discovered painting during my recovery from cancer. What began as a source of comfort has grown into a lifelong passion. Alongside my own work, I founded ipaint4hope, an initiative through which I organise exhibitions with local artists to support Cancer Research UK, while also donating a proportion of my own artwork sales. For me, fundraising through art is about giving something back.