Gallery

A FEW WORDS FROM Adam Highfield, the artist, 

"My journey into art was not a straight path. Before I ever picked up a piece of charcoal, I studied psychology at university with the hope of building a career helping others understand the human mind. Life, however, had different plans.

For the next 15 years, in my twenties and early thirties I experienced my own struggles with mental health. It was a difficult period that forced me to rethink not only my future but also what truly gave my life meaning.

At school my art teachers tended to ignore me, as at that time i had no interest or talent in drawing shoes, deer skulls or fruit (which was the the main focus of most lessons)

During school and university, my father—who had once been an art teacher—encouraged me to consider a different direction. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet recognised myself.

At first, drawing was simply an escape. I created playful illustrations of teddy bears, cuddly animals and whimsical characters. I totally enjoyed the simple act of making something that brought a smile to the faces of others

Art became a place of refuge against the troubles of my mind, comfort, curiosity and healing rather than a career.

Everything changed when I discovered charcoal.

The moment I began working with charcoal, I felt an immediate connection to the medium. Its deep blacks, dramatic contrasts and raw, expressive textures allowed me to create images with a depth and atmosphere I had never been able to achieve before. It felt as though I had finally found the language I had been searching for. I never never looked back from the inspiration which grew from my charcoal experiments. It was like discovering a new me….

Today, I create hand-drawn charcoal artwork inspired by mythology, folklore and the timeless stories that have fascinated generations for centuries. 

My work explores mythical creatures, forgotten legends and imagined encounters between humans and the supernatural. Rather than focusing solely on monsters or heroes, I’m drawn to quieter moments—guardians of mythical beasts, hooded figures who protect dangerous creatures that can evoke fear, bit also wonder and melancholy.

Every piece is drawn by hand, layer by layer, using traditional charcoal techniques. I hope each artwork invites the viewer to pause, imagine the story beyond the frame, and reconnect with the sense of mystery that myths have inspired throughout the ages.

What began as a change in direction became a calling. Charcoal did not just change the way I created—it helped me discover the artist I was meant to become.”