After first training as a lab technician in Oxford, I went on to work in clinical immunology research in both London and Sydney and only started painting when returning to Oxford in 1979.

I find I’m most drawn to light and harmony and so attempt to express that, whether painting landscape, architecture or still life. As well as using watercolours and more recently oils, I’ve also worked with a team painting frescos in Waterperry house and taught watercolour landscape painting at Art in Action for many years.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate in having numerous exhibitions in England, as well as in Tokyo and Cape Town. I’ve also illustrated a number of books, including ‘Oxford Words and Watercolours’; ‘Consider England’; and a Visitor’s Book for the National Trust.

Most recently I’ve completed a commission from HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah for over 70 watercolours of Worcester College...  This was to coincide with his patronage of the wonderful new conference centre bearing his name.  The original paintings now hang in his palace in Perak.

After what, so far has been a fairly full life, the muse now seems to be taking some time out – so we wait to see what might appear next on the horizon!

valeriepetts.co.uk