About Us
Deep Impressions Underwater Art
We create both detailed and abstract underwater paintings inspired by our passion for the undersea world, for anyone who loves the ocean. We remind people of their own wonderful experiences underwater and want to encourage and inspire others to get into the sea.
Deep Impressions is a mother and daughter partnership. Coming from a diving background, with a BSAC 1st class diver & instructor, a commercial diver and an underwater videographer as members of the family, it was a natural progression for us as artists and divers to express these experiences on canvas.
Our customers often tell us how much of a talking point our paintings are and how they bring back wonderful memories. We’ve found young children particularly love finding all the hidden sea creatures in the pictures and can accurately identify them all! Our early work understandably had a particular resonance with scuba divers. Our current abstract work connects with people who love bright colours, textures and the feeling of movement. These paintings also offer a great decor solution to the modern family home.
Creating our art:
Our highly detailed underwater work can take many weeks to paint. We use hundreds of our underwater photographs as reference points. A great deal of time is taken to build up the layers on a painting. Using acrylics we construct the background and then painstakingly add all the marine life. We make sure all the creatures are anatomically correct and appropriate for each location. We’ll usually base a painting on a particularly memorable dive site or encounter. When painting an abstract piece using mixed media, we can explore many different techniques to create a desired effect. These paintings are a lot more organic with a much less predictable outcome. With commissioned work we combine a variety of elements to fulfill our client’s vision.
Kim Vaudin
How it all began:
I was overwhelmed by the fantastic colour and sealife that I saw when I first dived the Great Barrier Reef back in the 80’s. My first attempts at taking underwater photographs with my disposable camera were a total let down. The results were disappointing, at best! But I was inspired by the local art and this sowed the seed to paint my own British underwater seascapes.
Years later, I completed a two year course in Signwriting and Calligraphy at Plymouth College of Art and Design. But the urge to create paintings was irresistible. Kay and I decided to join forces and Deep Impressions was born.
It’s exciting for us to paint our home waters of Plymouth, and to show off the great marine life we have here! At 14 I did my first dive off the steps at Portelet harbour in Guernsey with my father, a 1st class BSAC diving instructor. It was these early dives that would influence my artwork for years to come. As we ventured further afield, our photographs (and cameras) improved and my partner Mike, a marine biologist, was able to contribute with a critical eye. We have been lucky to dive worldwide and continue to do so for research purposes. See our inspiration
Kay Vaudin
I have enjoyed drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, and spent many hours swimming in the clear waters of our home island of Guernsey. So I was delighted when Kim suggested we join forces to start our underwater art business.
We have enjoyed many diving destinations over the years with family and groups of friends, the ‘Silvertips’. From the Maldives to the Caribbean, I snorkelled at every opportunity and was enthralled with the colour and life in the sea.
When exhibiting at shows we love talking to people about our art and always have a ‘work in progress’. People ask if I am distracted painting with an audience but I can lose myself in the moment and not notice anyone around me. As our styles are so similar we are able to exchange places and Kim will continue on my painting, much to everyone’s surprise. We create our own paintings back in the studio and once a piece is finished we have a critique. This can be quite a test on our mother-daughter relationship. But as a result we always come out the other side with a better painting.
Our work appeals to non-divers as the paintings are full of colour, detail and include many fascinating creatures. Each time you look you see something new!
We are now exploring abstract underwater art, which has resulted in a startling difference in our styles. I love painting these free expressive works, it is exciting not knowing which direction a painting will take. I can’t wait to get back to my easel each day!
