ARTSTUDIOTESSATHONETT
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About the Artist

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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 
  • 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.

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  • Home
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  • Imaginary Portraits
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  • About the Artist