A teacher who has been working in the profession for 25 years has made the decision to open her own art school.

Louise Sturgis is the woman behind Long House Studios in Kentmere, which saw its first courses launched this year.

Having become the Head of Art at an independent boarding school in Yorkshire in 2017, Louise realised that it was time for a change.

She said: "After six years of this very demanding job, entailing long, long hours and the inevitable compromises involved in teaching art in schools, I decided last summer to make a change whilst I still had the energy.

"I was determined to find a better work/life balance and to create a space that allowed me both time to teach without the constraints of school bureaucracy and time to do my own work."

The Westmorland Gazette: The courses offer individual tuition to boost your art skillsThe courses offer individual tuition to boost your art skills (Image: Louise Sturgis)

With her family having their roots firmly placed in Cumbria, it was a personal loss that inspired the move for Louise.

"This decision was connected to my father's death in 2020, leaving myself and my brothers our beautiful house in Kentmere," she said.

"After much deliberation, and desperate not to lose the house or for it to become yet another holiday let, my husband and I decided to sell our Oxford house and move to Kentmere."

The Westmorland Gazette: The classes are set in this picturesque location in KentmereThe classes are set in this picturesque location in Kentmere (Image: Louise Sturgis)

The idea of the art school was born out of a necessity to bring in money following the move across the country, and Louise was more than aware of the competition she will face.

"There are quite a few places that do Art Classes in the Lakes - but we are offering something a bit different," she explained.

"Most places are 'product led' - if you go on the course you will be led through a series of activities and techniques in order to produce a finished product."

The Westmorland Gazette: Taking part will open up the beauty of the Lake District and bring it to your sketchbookTaking part will open up the beauty of the Lake District and bring it to your sketchbook (Image: Louise Sturgis)

At the studio, participants will instead receive individual support and tuition to develop their skills.

She added: "That way, they can build their confidence, so that they finish the course, not with a particular finished outcome, but with new skills, new ideas, new enthusiasm and new confidence."