Bethan Archer

Faces tell a story. Scale, composition, color, pose, and line all come together in Bethan’s strikingly large portraits. Whether depicting humans or animals, her work reflects a deep passion for color and a fascination with characterful faces. Often incorporating glasses or hands to draw the viewer in, her portraits—featuring both locals and celebrities—invite curiosity, encouraging us to ponder the subject’s mood and thoughts while examining every intricate detail.

Faces are central to human interaction, commanding our attention when we speak, focus, or connect with others. Bethan’s larger-than-life paintings amplify this experience, their presence both imposing and inviting, compelling us to engage with the subjects on a deeper level.

Graduating from the University of Wales in 1986 with a degree in Fine Art (sculpture), Bethan initially explored welding and wood carving. However, the constraints of a small London flat led her to pick up a paintbrush—an artistic shift that shaped her career.

Bethan has exhibited at Gallery Different in London, participates biannually in Walls of Fame in Heathfield, and was honored with an invitation to paint the Prime Minister of Malaysia for his 90th birthday, representing the UK at the Perdana Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she is currently Head of Art at Uckfield College. She lives and works in Old Heathfield, East Sussex.