Sue Blake SGFA

Biography

BA [Hons] Visual Art, and MA Painting from University of Wales
Art Teachers’ Certificate, Goldsmiths’ College, London

Sketches from direct observation evolve into sequences of paintings as the impact of a chosen subject is explored through a range of compositions and media.
Observational studies develop fluidly, using a wide range of individual or mixed media. Sequences of work emerge as the aesthetic impact of a chosen subject is explored. Sometimes a two-dimensional drawing will evolve into a mixed media collage, the collage then growing into a relief or even fully into three dimensions.
Paintings have been exhibited in the UK, France and Germany, and are now in numerous private collections.

In addition to successful one-person exhibitions, paintings have been selected for inclusion in prestigious shows at Derby, Birmingham, Chesterfield and Stafford Museums as well as at the Royal Watercolour Society, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and St David’s Hall Cardiff. Sue was awarded a Derbyshire Council Prize at the 2017 Derbyshire Open Exhibition. In 2020 she was shortlisted for the inaugural £10,000 Castlegate Prize.

Full membership in the Society of Graphic Fine Art is a mark of the importance placed on drawing in all its forms. In 2017 Sue received the SGFA “Best in Show” prize for her work “Lost and Found”.

Sue’s considerable teaching experience, including serving as a member of the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate, encompassed history of art as well as fine art and design technology. Far from being an intrusion, this career has supported personal artistic development. The two activities are regarded as interconnected and mutually beneficial.

 

Exhibitions:

One-Person Shows:
• 2003 – 2021 a succession of exhibitions at The Coach House Gallery, Guernsey
• 2004 The Owen Taylor Gallery, Warwick
• 2008 – 2011 Charlecote Park, Warwick
• 2017 St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Selected Exhibitions since 2000:
• 1999/2000 St. David’s Hall, Cardiff
• 2001 exhibition at Thompson’s Gallery, Stow on the Wold
• 2005 Little London Gallery, Holloway, Derbyshire. [prize winner]
• 2005 “Paper Chase” exhibition, Nature In Art, Gloucester [in conjunction with an exhibition of Matisse’s paper cuts
• 2009 – 2021 annual exhibitions, Society of Graphic Fine Artists [2017 ‘Best in Show” award]
• December 2010 – January 2011 Warwick Museum
• 2012 Broadway Arts, Little Buckland Gallery, Broadway.
• 2012 Atelier Ubede, Lüneburg, Germany.
• 2013 “Pathways” Mitchell Gallery, Warwick.
• 2015 “‘Scapes” Stafford Museum and Art Gallery.
• 2016 “Lost & Found” Kultur Baeckerei, Lüneburg, Germany
• 2017 “Drawing Connections” Chesterfield Museum.
• 2015, 2016 & 2017 Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition, Buxton Museum [commendation 2015 & 2016; Derbyshire County Council Award 2017]
• 2018 “Circles” Buxton Museum
• 2015 – 2023 inclusion in group exhibitions at the Courtney Gallery, Ashbourne
• 2020 Castlegate Prize Exhibition of Shortlisted Artists.

Works have been accepted for open exhibitions at:
• The Royal Watercolour Society
• “Not the Royal Academy”, Llewelyn Alexander gallery, London
• Society of Graphic Fine Artists.
• Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Derby City Art Gallery
• Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

Residencies:
• Nature in Art, Gloucester October 2006
• Charlecote Park, Warwickshire 2008-9
• Luneburg, Germany 2023