Artwork for Vanessa Rhead
Wren
Hereford Cathedral
Revolutions, Ross on Wye
Song Thrush
Details
I Started painting building when I returned to England and a friend noticed how I constantly took photos of buildings when ever we went out for the day. This obsession has grown from a childhood of family holidays from lands end to almost John O'Groats stopping off at every stately home, castle and roman dig on the way, thanks dad. My love of detail makes every brick, crack and detail bring buildings to life and allows those who know these buildings to fall in love with them all over again, this passion for detail can also be found in my bird and insect paintings, both on canvas and on ceramic baubles, painting the visitors to my Wye side garden was inevitable and such a gift after growing up in the city centre of Birmingham.
Painting is part of me, I was drawing before I was walking and had my 1st painting bought at age 7( I painted my nans next door neighbours dog and she paid me in chocolate) Painting is the only time I am quite and still, my mind becomes still and hours can pass in the blink of an eye. When people ask "how did you paint that" I honestly don't know but I know there is nothing I would rather be doing. My other passion is visiting stately homes, castles and sites of historic sites, my work now gives me an excuse to go to as many of these places that my husband will drive me to and when I find my mind too full of ideas with no direction a day or 2 visiting a castle or 2 soon helps me decide which building will be next on my drawing board.
My name is Vanessa Rhead, I was born in Birmingham but have been lucky enough to find myself now living along the banks of the river Wye.
My work is predominantly in acrylics which gives me the ability to build up layers without muddying the water, so to speak. I love old buildings but water colours left my building paintings translucent, as though they were a shadow of themselves. The way I now paint allows buildings to sit heavy on the page without the distraction of surrounding and for older buildings, clever editing to eliminate some of the distractions of modern living(phone lines) while retaining their majestic presence in detail for generations to come.
I will be teaching a Bee and Wren class at the Newent Art summer school 2025 and a mini class during H'Art (check later for date and time)
I went to Aston Arts and Bournville Art school but most of my art training was by my Father and Mother.
H'Art @ Llangarron.
H'Art @St Mary's, Ross on Wye.
Labels Art Gallery, Ross on Wye
I attend Ross on Wye Farmers Market each Saturday morning.
