FEATURED ARTISTSue Ribbans
My profile photo is of me doing a favourite thing – sitting by the sea having just done a painting. Sardinia last autumn. I grew up by the sea on the Kent coast. I went to Canterbury College of Art for 4 years leaving in 1963 with the equivalent of a Degree in Graphic Design.
The only place to work was London and Earls Court was the first destination. I married a fellow art student and along the way we had three children. Even in the midst of toddlers I always had a painting on the go. I do however think perhaps in my advanced years those three children have been my best creations. The youngest is now 45 and I am very privileged to have had the opportunity to lead a very creative life.
Past, Present and Ongoing
I continue to work as a Graphic Designer – design is a key element in all the various manifestations of my work. I am quite well known as a printmaker (Fat Ladies should come to mind). I am a member of Richmond Printmakers and exhibit regularly with them. I am also a member of the Southbank Printmakers Gallery in London.
I have taken part in numerous exhibitions. I have been a member of the Fountain Gallery and Skylark Gallery in London. I had a solo exhibition at the Old Town Hall Gallery in Richmond and had one of my paintings stolen, mirror plates and all. A pleasure to know someone appreciated what I was doing. (The council paid the insurance. Artists now have to pay their own insurance!)
I have been a member of RAS for a number of years and because I seem to be a bit of a ’doer’ got myself invited onto the committee. Arts Richmond, Richmond Arts Council, has also drawn me in. So I can be seen at the May Fair Tent on Richmond Green sticking numbers on artwork.
I was a founder member of the Teddington Artists Group and with them organised the first Art Fair at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington when it was icy cold and smelt of dead pigeons. Its come a long way since then as has the proliferation of Art Fairs.
I have seasons of painting, mostly landscapes, and I have had work accepted and hung in the Bank Side Gallery. I do like to work experimentally with clay and last year joined and exhibited with the Surrey Sculpture Society.
I helped to create and run the local Arts magazine NETWORK for 25 years. So I must include writing as one of my interests. I had a joyful time teaching experimental drawing and painting in adult education for 10 years and after 4 years of retiring still keep in touch with all my all old students. I think they liked what I was doing with them.