From Watford’s changing urban environment to the lakes at Rickmansworth Aquadrome to the nearby Chess Valley, much of our local landscape sits between town and countryside, providing a wealth of opportunities for artists.

And printmaker Joy Thomson, from Rickmansworth, and painter Kathy Foster, from Chorleywood, are two artists who have made the most of Watford’s unique situation to create a striking series of artworks which go on display this month at the Pavilion Gallery, in the beautiful gardens at Chenies Manor.

Kathy’s oil paintings and Joy’s prints are based on rural and urban landscapes. Kathy’s paintings often depict overlooked objects and places that have a sense of transience, allowing her to explore the wide range of possibilities that oil painting offers.

Joy’s work uses the natural environment to continue her development of printmaking processes, and a variety of these will be on display in the exhibition.

Joy and Kathy have known each other for many years, during which time they have gained professional qualifications and artistic experience. Kathy graduated from Bucks Chilterns University in 2004 with a degree in fine art, while Joy has immersed herself in her printmaking, in all its diversity, and gaining a professional development diploma and a higher professional diploma along the way.

Now is the perfect time to visit the spring gardens at Chenies, an ideal setting for this exhibition.

  • Between Town and Country is at the Pavilion Gallery, Chenies Manor and Gardens, Chenies, until Thursday, May 1, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2pm to 5pm, as well as on Easter Monday, April 21 from 2pm to 5pm, when the house and gardens will be open to the public. Details: 01494 762888, cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk