Valerie Jean Pettifer
Artist Details
 |
 |
|
|
|
Artist Name: Valerie Jean PettiferBiography
Like many people I started painting quite late in life following a chance invitation to accompany my aunt on a painting holiday in Cober Hill, near Scarborough in July 2006. I was instantly hooked, but as I was still working as an HR Professional in the Electronics Industry I had little time to spend painting. Then as retirement approached in 2009 I decided it was time to focus on my painting, so I threw myself into a round of art work-shops to learn as much as I could. From then on, weekends and holidays were always 'art' focused and often my husband would accompany me as a 'non-painting-partner'. While I was painting he'd be out exploring the local area or on a beach somewhere with his metal detector. I joined the SAA, then the Royston Arts Society and the Cambridge District Art Circle and started to meet other like minded people in my area. I also visited numerous art exhibitions and galleries, plus started to accumulate my own small library of reference art books. In 2008 I entered 4 paintings into the Royston Exhibition and to my delight I sold two of them. This was the turning point; I realised that people actually liked what I was painting; it was such a boast for me! With my professional background in vocational training it was not long before local art societies were asking me if I was interested in running work-shops. Initially these were in pastels, as I especially enjoy this medium, but now I'm also working in collage & mixed media. I love colour and experimentation with various mediums, so my work is very varied. As yet I have not managed to settle into one style, and I'm not sure I really want to, although people say they do recognise my work even though the subject matter constantly changes! I now have the luxury of my own beautiful studio and work-shop venue in Whittlesford near Cambridge and this year will be holding my Cambridge Open Studios in this wonderful space! And the final twist; I'm back at Cober Hill running my own painting holidays twice a year! I never dreampt that retirement would be so busy, yet so fulfilling!
Exhibitions
My work can be viewed and purchased at the Old School Studio, Old School Lane, High Street, Whittlesford, Cambridge CB22 4YS
The studio is open from 10am - 4pm from Monday - Friday
In July I will be taking part in Cambridge Open Studios and plan to open all four weekends from 11am - 6pm
Awards
In 2011 my painting of St Abbs Harbour in Collage & Acrylic was voted Best in Show at the Cambridge District Art Circle annual exhibition in Grantchester, Cambridge.
In 2012 I received the Favourite Picture Award as voted by the public for my painting named The Chequers, Royston.
Media
Acrylics, Collage, Gouache, Mixed Media, Pastels, Pen And Wash
Subjects
Abstract, Animals, Fantasy, Landscape, Skies, Townscapes, Wildlife
