Rebecca Elizabeth Gibbs: Derbyshire based digital artist

It says something about our wonderful county that even our most iconic, best-loved locations can be seen through a different lens when we view them from somebody else’s perspective.

Few are able to welcome us into their world quite like talented local artist Rebecca Elizabeth Gibbs, whose digitally created pieces share a feeling of nostalgia and almost romanticism.

‘I was always one of those creative kids, that’s always been my thing,’ reveals Rebecca.

‘I remember as a kid listening to the Famous Five on my audiobook and sitting sewing sequins on my mum’s old cushions and doodling with crayons.

Matlock with a child and grandad taking a walk, one of Rebecca’s first commissions (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) ‘I just wanted to be creative all the time and that’s always been a part of who I am.’

Having studied art and textiles at school before heading to art college, it’s fair to say that it’s the practice, rather than the theory, that realty resonates with Rebecca and shines through in her work.

‘I always draw things that mean something to me and then the hope is that then translates to others,’ she explains.

‘I just draw what I like. I love sitting down and getting lost in it for hours. I went through all the processes at school and university but I think studying it made me lose my passion a little. It was all very “by the book” and I like to draw because it makes me feel a certain way.

Curbar Edge (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) ‘Having to it for a grade made me lose that for a little while. I started painting again over Covid but didn’t feel confident sharing my work; it was a slow process.

‘Then I started sharing my pieces on Instagram and nobody really knew it was me, it was kind of my alter-ego, then I got gradually more confident.’

Rebecca has a very clear style – her work is vivid and fun in nature – and her way of producing art digitally is intriguing. She’s happy with where she’s at with both her art and her relationship with it but, as she he has eluded to, it’s been a long journey of discovery.

‘Initially I didn’t know what my style was and I was searching for that for a long time,’ she concedes.

The Railway Children, inspired by Rebecca’s childhood  (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) ‘I started off painting places and working on travel illustrations, then started doing children’s books because that what held memories for me – be that watching The Railway Children or The Secret Garden with my mum.

‘I’m happy with where I have progressed to and am really grateful to those who have given me support and given me that trust to work on something.

‘So, this whole process is years in the making in terms of figuring out who I was and what I wanted to share with my art. Now I have fully embraced the bright colours and the pink, but it was very much a journey of discovery.’

Rebecca’s art veers away from the traditional, whilst nonetheless retaining that look and feel of paint form. And there is, suggests Rebecca, something incredibly liberating about creating digital art.

Bridget Jones-inspired London Christmas. Many of Rebecca’s pieces ooze nostalgia (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) ‘I primarily work digitally now,’ she explains. ‘Originally, I was painting gouache, scanning it in and editing digitally.

‘Then, two Christmases ago, I found myself just wanting to watch Christmas movies on the sofa while having my iPad in front of me so I could create art at the same time. So, I really took the time to learn how to do it.

‘Since then, I’m able to just pick my iPad up anywhere and take it with me. I still love traditional painting but equally I love getting out and about, getting lost in a feeling, and drawing spontaneously.

‘I’m going to New Zealand soon and am so looking forward to taking my iPad with me because it means that wherever I am I can draw, or even just sketch an idea when it comes to me.

The Secret Garden (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) ‘Then I can come back to it at a later date if I want. I never thought I would be a digital person, but it gives me so much freedom.’

A look at Rebecca’s portfolio reveals art inspired from locations across the world. Yet despite her multitude of influences and passions, Derbyshire and the Peak District continue to feature prominently. So why is that?

‘I think you always find yourself coming back home because it’s important you don’t take for granted what is on your doorstep. It’s beautiful here.

‘I lived in Japan for a bit and have travelled a lot but there are so many stories and memories associated with Derbyshire.’

Matlock Bath (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) One thing’s for sure, wherever Rebecca’s inspiration takes her on any given day, she’ll never bore of capturing our county’s beauty.

‘I think the Derbyshire Peak ones will be ongoing,’ she reveals.

‘I did the Three Ships at Birchen Edge not long ago because we went for a few walks there and the landscape really inspired me.

‘At this time of year, with the snow and the sky looking so pretty, it’s making me want to do more snowy Peak District illustrations, so I guess it’s kind of how I feel at any given time.’

Lathkill Dale, a place close to Rebecca’s heart (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) And so to the million pound question – looking back, are there any pieces that Rebecca is particularly fond of?

‘There are a few,’ she responds thoughtfully. ‘I did a Lathkill Dale illustration recently for my boyfriend’s family because they’re all from Over Haddon. There’s just so much history there and it’s rich in so many ways, it’s actually quite overwhelming when you think about the area.

‘There’s one I don’t particularly like now but at the time felt quite special. My dad worked in libraries for over 40 years, so when he retired I did a tropical library illustration to celebrate the four decades he had worked in libraries, then there was one I did of Howarth because my mum is a huge Brontë fan, so those ones mean a lot to me for different reasons.

‘I love all my Derbyshire ones too. The ones I did recently at Lathill and Monsal Head are some of my favourites because they are such beautiful places that I love visiting.’

Monsal Head, one of Rebecca’s favourite pieces (Image: Rebecca Gibbs) Rebecca has clearly found her place in the art world but, as she concludes, the journey of discovery is never ending.

‘It took me a long time to get to that point and I don’t think you ever stop learning,’ she says.

‘You’re always learning more about the skills behind the craft, so I think I will always learn new skills – whether that be through digital evolutions that are introduced or whether it be going back to the basics with pen and paper.

‘What’s exciting is that if I was to ever get bored of one process, there will always be new ones to uncover.’

You can view Rebecca’s art at rebeccaelizabethdraws.co.uk.