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Stella Downing
Art Forms
Drawing, Mixed media, Painting
Artist information
I have always loved drawing and painting, and making things, and initially trained as a nurse, but then having had a family I had a change of career and after a degree, followed by PGCE, qualified as a teacher in 2000 . I worked at Worcester Sixth Form college teaching Fine Art for 18 years. I continue to do workshops and teaching small groups.
I find inspiration in the Worcestershire and Herefordshire landscapes and I go out as often as I can with friends to paint ‘en plein air’. I love being outside and trying to capture the moment – the changing colours and light are always fascinating. I like to use soft pastels, charcoal and pencils on Pastel Mat paper or watercolour paper, sometimes this is left as a finished piece, and at other times it forms the inspiration for work back in the studio on a larger scale using mixed media. In this case I might work on mount board prepared with clear gesso and an acrylic under painting before using charcoal and pastels on top. My intention is to create an atmospheric interpretation of the scene .
I have exhibited widely and am a member of The Pastel Society where I have work in its annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.
Please feel free to visit my web site: www.stelladowning.co.uk
you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook @larkonthehill