Soraya French

1 Cearleon Drive
Andover, Hants
SP10 4DE
Tel: 01264 350181
soraya-french@ntlworld.com

Soraya was born in Tehran and graduated with a diploma in Natural Science in 1975, and went on to study Agricultural Engineering at Tehran University. Due to political unrest in Iran she abandoned her course and decided to live in Rome for a year. In 1977 she came to England to study English in Cambridge and went on to do Business Studies at Constable College in Tunbridge Wells. She had three years of art training with Richard Plincke RI at Cricklade College in Andover, and has since worked with some outstanding tutors. A versatile artist, Soraya works in Watercolours, Pastels, Acrylics and Mixed Media. Flowers, African scenes and seascapes are amongst her favourite subjects where she can use the play of light and vibrant colours to full effect.

Soraya has been a full time artist since 1992 and exhibits her work mainly in the south of England in mixed and solo exhibitions and galleries throughout the year. She is a demonstrator for Daler-Rowney. She demonstrates to art groups in the south of England and London and runs private workshops; she is an elected member of the Society of Floral Painters, and is currently the President of the Andover Art Soceity.

Solo Exhibitions:
Salisbury Edwin Young Gallery 1999
Salisbury Edwin Young Gallery 2000
Forthcoming solo Salisbury Edwin Young Gallery February 2004
Wiltshire Gallery, Salisbury, October 2004
Edwin Young Gall

I demonstrate to art groups and societies throughout Southern England and London, and run workshops at different venues in the South.

Mixed Media painting course in Snowdonia organised by Brushstokes
Date: Friday 7 - Monday 10 July 2006
Venue: converted chapel in Dolwyddelan, a village just outside Betws-Y-Coed. with a great choice of subject matter from the breathtaking surraounding countryside.
Cost: £188
Contact: Ann Fellows on 01690 750488

Workshop organised by The Artist and Leisure Painter sponsored by Daler-Rowney
Date: Tuesday 17 October - 19 October 2006
Venue: Withersdane Hall in the heart of the Kent countryside
Cost: £335 includes 2 nights accomodation in single en suit room, full board and over £100 worth of art material
Subject: Putting figures into your painting
Medium: System 3 and System 3D acrylics
Details in the April 2006 issue of The Artist and Liesure painter, to book please call Caroline Griffiths on 01580 763673

Watershed Studios St Osyth, Clacton-on-sea
Mixed media course
Date: Saturday and Sunday 28 & 29 October 2006
Cost: £100 to include Lunch and refreshments
Contact: Allison Bond 01255 820466
Art in Action 2006
Saturday and Sunday 16 & 17 July
5 Demonstrations each day for The Artist and The Leisure Painter
Art in Action 2005
I will be demonstrating mixed media for Daler-Rowney on the 16 and 17 July 2005 at Art in Action

Daler-Rowney Choice Award, Society of Women Artists, June 2004
Daler-Rowney 2005 Calendar Cometition, October 2004
Edwin Young awards Salisbury Open 1997
The painting was purchased for the Edwin Young Museum collection.
Edwin Young award April 2002
Fight for Sight regional competition November 2002
Salisbury Open Award April 2003
Winchester Art Club 76th annual exhibition November 2003
SAA Best Professional Experimental/abstract 2005
SAA Artist of the Year 2005
SAA Artist of the Year 2005

Watercolour, Pen And Wash, Pastels, Acrylics, Mixed Media, Acrylic Inks, Canvas, Collage

Landscape, Abstract, Buildings, Figure, Flowers And Gardens, Seascapes and Water, Still Life, Townscapes

Hampshire, United Kingdom mainland