Cathy S R Read - Artist
Growing up amidst the decaying mills of the Cotton industry, Cathy was born in Manchester (UK). Needing to paint and draw from an early age.
Drawing was second nature to her. She was creating recognisable portraits when she was twelve, receiving her first commissions while still in school.
Although drawn strongly to art, her Father’s death when she was 17 led to her questioning it’s value. Desiring to make a more practical difference to people’s lives. Cathy began training in Occupational therapy. Working with Dyspraxic children for the National Health Service until 1996. Then moving into private practice.
©2008 Cathy Read - Abstract Flowers -29.7x21cm Mixed Media on paper
A lover of humour, Cathy began exploring caricatures in 2000. Finding them more of creative challenge than portraits.
Working through the challenges of parenting led to discovery of art as a means to address emotional issues. And discovering that a key part of herself was missing!
This led to the rekindling of her earlier artistic passions.
After a career break, She finally Launched her Artistic Career in 2008.
Like all artists, her work and direction are evolving. Desiring to create something more original, she started experimenting with abstracts. These earlier abstracts were predominantly circle based. Acquiring urban landscape tendencies in 2010.
Cathy now focuses on contemporary landscapes in an abstracted style.
Her abstracts are distinctive and have been well received since her first “Abstract Flowers” created in September 2008.
©2011- Cathy Read-Millenium Vision-38x28cm- Mixed Media -£300
Having created a body of work, Cathy began showing her work in public. Initially exhibiting with a local Art Group Buckingham Art for All (BAFA).
Gallery approaches followed in May 2010. Leading to acceptances by local galleries.
Involved in the development of Bafa’s Art trail from Summer 2009 until the launch in March 2010. And continuing her involvement on the committee until December 2010. Cathy is still a participating Artist.
Her active involvement in Bafa resulted in Cathy’s election as Publicity Officer in June 2010.
A canal holiday in Summer 2010 led to the discovery on The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury. Further enquiry resulted in her joining The Wheel Art Group. Exhibiting in their Christmas 2010 exhibition. And exhibiting with Oxford Artweeks at the Mill Arts Centre.
In September 2010, she was invited to exhibit and demonstrate at John Lewis in High Wycombe through Art Works for Business.
Cathy’s ability to work in a variety of styles has resulted in a number of successful commissions ranging from caricatures to portraits. Sales of her abstract work followed and are now the primary focus of her skills.
June 2011 saw Cathy’s first solo exhibition as part of Bucks Open Studios 2011. The show From Circles to Cities was well received and charted the progress of her abstract work to date.
In September 2011 Cathy was selected to participate in Katerina Seda’s “From Morning Till Night” at the Tate Modern, London.
Constantly seeking out new opportunities, Cathy continues to expand her profile in the real and virtual worlds.
You can also follow Cathy on:-
www.flickr.com