Vivienne Machell

I attended an art foundation course at Portsmouth in the late 60's then studied Fashion and Textiles at Nottingham.  Before my retirement in 2010 I was an active member of the Guild of Silk Painters.  After retiring I decided to concentrate  on traditional painting and now exhibit my work regularly in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

I especially love painting portraits and tend to use photographs because I like the element of control.   Most of my paintings are of people I know very well so I am able to improve or adapt the original image.  I also like to paint interesting buildings, urban scenes and am about to turn my attention to still life.  I try to convey a sense of presence  whatever the subject.  Light, Colour, tone and texture are all important to me.