South Shields artist set to appear on Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year show

Landscape Artist of the Year, which returned to Sky Arts on October 15, sees presenters Stephen Mangan and Joan Bakewell travel the country on the look-out for some of Britain’s most spectacular masterpieces.

In episode five, set to air on Tuesday, November 12, eight artists will take on the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle in a bid to impress judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kate Bryan and Kathleen Soriano.

Also setting up their easels on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, will be 50 wildcard artists, including Steven Wood and Janine Henry from South Shields.

If successful, the pair stand a chance of reaching the semi-final and getting one step closer to claiming the prize of a £10,000 commission to create a landscape artwork of Venice for the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects.

This is the third time Steven has been a wildcard artist on the show, in which participants are given four hours to paint the view in a medium of their choice.

“I’ve been an artist since I can remember,” said the 59-year-old of Tyne Dock.

“I’ve had no formal training but it’s just been my lifelong passion.”

Earlier this year Steven appeared on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year and has recently been selected for the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait Award - the most prestigious portrait painting competition in the world.

Now the former carpenter is in the process of turning his much-loved hobby into a day job.

“It’s really hard to make a living as an artist, but I’m in the process of going full-time,” said Steven, who recommends that other budding artists should consider applying for the programme.

“Anybody who paints or has got an interest in painting should definitely apply for show, it’s a great experience and a really nice day out,” he added.

“If you get picked it’s a bonus.”

Tune in to see if Steven and Janine were successful when episode five of Landscape Artist of the Year airs on Sky Arts on Tuesday, November 12 at 8pm.