About the Artist
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Faces, faces, faces - I really enjoy faces, and particularly the eyes. And what really fascinates me are the nuances and differing spirits that shine through the different characters of those I paint.
When painting portraits I like to get to know my sitters as well as possible, so I can reveal more of the spirit (or what's behind the external features of the sitter) than any photo could. I look for the best in each person I paint and hopefully help them see that too.
For the last few years I have painted with palette knives, having moved away from painting with brushes in pursuit of more spontaneity. I even painted abstracts briefly for the same reason. Now I am re-introducing the brushes, in addition to my palette knife work, appreciating the varied range of marks.
I have also recently been enjoying painting faces from my imagination. They tend to be expressionless, to allow the viewer to discover the character, often through seeing reflections of themselves - it's interesting how comments about the same painting can be as varied as 'she's so stern' to 'she's so peaceful'! At the same time I am experimenting with composition, colour and a sort of graphic minimalism, while still keeping a painterly approach.
BIOGRAPHY
I was born in the UK and went to Farnham School of Art for a very exciting foundation course, followed by three years at Chelsea School of Art.
I have always been fascinated by faces and have painted portraits, often through the night, even while studying Graphics at Chelsea Art School. Recently I have seen how my training in graphics has influenced my work in a positive way.
I have led a colourful life, leaving England in 1978 and living in the USA, Brazil for 16 yrs, and then Cameroon, before returning to the UK in 2004.
I painted commissions wherever I lived, so they are scattered around the world - including one permanent exhibit of the gallery owner of a prestigious gallery in Vitoria. During my years in Brazil I held exhibitions in Vitoria, ES, Florianopolis, SC, and in Sao Paulo, SP.
Returning to the UK in 2004 and after surviving an aggressive cancer, I painted many portraits and commissions, while also holding various joint and solo exhibitions around the UK and in London, often showing my work together with my husband, Markus.
While living in Hampshire, these included Open Studios, and exhibitions in Alton; Winchester; Petersfield; Kensington Church St, and Camden, London.
In 2022 Markus and I moved to St Leonards, nr Hastings, East Sussex.
2022 -2023
I also have work for sale on the Saatchi online Gallery.
Faces, faces, faces - I really enjoy faces, and particularly the eyes. And what really fascinates me are the nuances and differing spirits that shine through the different characters of those I paint.
When painting portraits I like to get to know my sitters as well as possible, so I can reveal more of the spirit (or what's behind the external features of the sitter) than any photo could. I look for the best in each person I paint and hopefully help them see that too.
For the last few years I have painted with palette knives, having moved away from painting with brushes in pursuit of more spontaneity. I even painted abstracts briefly for the same reason. Now I am re-introducing the brushes, in addition to my palette knife work, appreciating the varied range of marks.
I have also recently been enjoying painting faces from my imagination. They tend to be expressionless, to allow the viewer to discover the character, often through seeing reflections of themselves - it's interesting how comments about the same painting can be as varied as 'she's so stern' to 'she's so peaceful'! At the same time I am experimenting with composition, colour and a sort of graphic minimalism, while still keeping a painterly approach.
BIOGRAPHY
I was born in the UK and went to Farnham School of Art for a very exciting foundation course, followed by three years at Chelsea School of Art.
I have always been fascinated by faces and have painted portraits, often through the night, even while studying Graphics at Chelsea Art School. Recently I have seen how my training in graphics has influenced my work in a positive way.
I have led a colourful life, leaving England in 1978 and living in the USA, Brazil for 16 yrs, and then Cameroon, before returning to the UK in 2004.
I painted commissions wherever I lived, so they are scattered around the world - including one permanent exhibit of the gallery owner of a prestigious gallery in Vitoria. During my years in Brazil I held exhibitions in Vitoria, ES, Florianopolis, SC, and in Sao Paulo, SP.
Returning to the UK in 2004 and after surviving an aggressive cancer, I painted many portraits and commissions, while also holding various joint and solo exhibitions around the UK and in London, often showing my work together with my husband, Markus.
While living in Hampshire, these included Open Studios, and exhibitions in Alton; Winchester; Petersfield; Kensington Church St, and Camden, London.
In 2022 Markus and I moved to St Leonards, nr Hastings, East Sussex.
2022 -2023
- Early in the year of 2022, I participated in an exhibition at the Arts Forum Hastings Gallery.
- Then for the months of July and Aug 2022, I held a joint exhibition with Markus, at Bannatyne Spa Hotel, Hastings, as artists in residence. We gave a one day workshop there during that time.
- I also participated in another Members show at the Hastings Arts Forum Gallery from 22nd Aug - 5th Sept 2022.
- I had a joint exhition in October 2022 at the Hastings Arts Forum, where Markus and I showed for the 1st two weeks of October, showing our separate work, and a few of our collaborative works.
- I finished off the year by painting a portrait commission of a wonderful young mother.
- In January, 2023, I received another commission to paint a double portrait - the grandchildren of my client.
I also have work for sale on the Saatchi online Gallery.
