MAHL Exclusive: Inside the Process with John Hughes

Ahead of our highly anticipated homecoming exhibition at The Horsebridge in Whitstable, we sit down with MAHL founding member John Hughes to pull back the curtain on his creative process. Discover how he balances his enduring artistic presence with a fresh, evolving vision for the collective.

Returning to the north Kent coast after a career in education, Peter embraced a more expressive style of traditional landscape painting, inspired by the vibrancy and energy of the sea, particularly around Whitstable. His work evolves through layers of acrylic paint, capturing the changing views of the coast and landscape with a distinct cubist feel.  

Based in East Kent, Alison is an award-winning collage artist and founder of a thriving local collage club. What started as a small group 4 years ago has grown into a community of 40 members meeting weekly.  Alison's dedication to the boundaries of the medium was recently recognized by Contemporary Collage Magazine, winning the Gold Award in the Representational Category for a bespoke house portrait commission.

Based in Canterbury, Paul works primarily in watercolour and oil, blending his background in commercial interior architecture with his artistic practice. As a seasoned design lecturer and a founding member of Urban Sketchers Canterbury, his works often carry elements of narrative and reflect everyday life. Paul has gained recognition through appearances on Sky Arts and Channel Four.   

An accomplished artist and educator, John has maintained a prolific practice since graduating with a Fine Art degree from Ravensbourne College of Art and Design. With extensive teaching experience, John’s work has been exhibited widely, including prestigious venues like The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. His paintings reflect a deep connection to the landscapes of Kent.