The Guildford Art Society: Artists : Grace Beckett

 

'Waxy Leaf' - Batik

'Dordogne' - Batik

Grace Gale Beckett

I joined the Guildford Art Society in 1998 as a hanging member. I presented 3 oil paintings influenced by Kenneth Clark’s Landscape into Art. I like Ivon Hitchen’s painterly abstract approach to landscape and Lawrence Gowing’s atmospheric domestic landscapes.

My main output has been as artist/craftsperson creating decorative batiks which are resist dyes. Some of the textiles are floral with a variety of applications such as wall hangings or smaller works of a more experimental type for contemplation. I found it easier to draw with the wax in a free way and to use colours from light to dark like a watercolour.

Art Education

Foundation Course: Sir John Cass School of Art

Adult Art Classes: Camden Art Centre, Arkwright Road , Hampstead, London NW3

Degree: Westfield College University of London , History and History of Art Combined Honours BA, 1970-1973

PGCE teaching certificate: University of Nottingham (Trent Poly) Art and EFL

Exhibitions:

Burgh House, New End Square , Hampstead, London , NW3 1983

The Talent Store Gallery, 11 Eccleston Street , London SW1 1986

Craft Fairs:

Chelsea Craft Fair 1986: stall of decorative batiks of my own business The Batik Attic

West Ashling Mill: near Chichester , West Sussex – craft workshop for a year

Group Exhibitions: The Bath and West Show, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Sherborne Art Society, Somerset

Wincanton Art Society, Somerset

Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road , Hampstead, London NW3

West Ashling Mill: near Chichester , West Sussex

The Grain Store and The Barn, Braziers Adult College , Oxon

Guildford House Gallery, The High Street, Guildford , Surrey

Harvey Road Gallery, Guildford , Surrey

Although I have taught art at a secondary level in a comprehensive in Bingham in the Midlands , my main interest in teaching is adult education. I have taught residential art weekends and given week long history of art courses at Braziers Adult College , which is near Ipsden in Oxfordshire. Recently I have given lectures on their Easter Creativity weekend.

I was born in London , brought up in Surrey and Somerset . I am married to Michael Gale and we have 2 sons. I have a certificate in counselling and I have a small practice in Vortex Healing ® which heals with Divine energy and consciousness. I am on the council of the England Branch of the Clan Macleod Society.

Contact: 01483 506970

email: ellygbeckett@hotmail.com