Featured Artist for 2018 

 
Kate Bentley is a local artist based in the Lyth valley. She graduated from Sheffield in 1986 with a degree in Sculpture. She first studied and worked in theatre design before making the shift to painting. 
From 1999 she has been a full time painter. 
As well as exhibiting her work in a regional galleries throughout the country Kate's work has shown in a number of larger respected venues including:
The Royal Institute of Watercolour Artists,
The Royal Watercolour Society,
The Affordable Arts Fair
The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
The Society of Women Artists
She is an elected member of the Society of Women Artists and The Lakes Artists Society.

The third example shown is from her narrative series of 2018. She says:

Millais’s painting of Ophelia was my inspiration.. analyzing why this image , so beguiling and beautiful ,is ,when all said and done, depicting a scene of someone  drowning. My intention was to retain the beauty whilst exploring these themes and as each painting developed I was motivated to explore other themes such as drifting,movement,distortion of image,suspension,peacefulness,textiles ,pattern and costume.”

 
http://katebentley.co.uk/
 
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Christine Woodward - Featured Artist for 2018
 
"I was born in Wigan. My father loved to draw and he inspired my early interest in art.
 
After studying Art in Liverpool I began teaching Art and Craft in High School. In the early 90s I stopped teaching and concentrated on my own painting. I studied art again with the Open College of the Arts and completed three painting courses.
 
I love painting woodland and gardens. I am drawn to the patterns created by light and shade which I try to express through my use of vivid colour.
 
I was thrilled to have one of my paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2017.
 
Christine Woodward."
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