Annual General Meeting: Talk by Julie Collins

Julie gave us a fascinating talk illustrating some significant moments in her career as an artist, starting with an excellent art teacher, through her training as an artist to the present day. She talked about her inspirations: her early fascination with the patterns on ecclesiastical vestments, and, as she encountered their works, the artists Gwen John, Archibald Knox and Giacometti. Later, she was inspired by Helen Frankenthaler and Anthony Gormley.

Light, colour, pattern continue to inspire her art. She showed some slides of her beautiful, delicate watercolours - some pure landscapes, some, increasingly featuring figures.

She described her meticulous exploration of colour theory, which has resulted a series of books written to support artists.

She became entranced by the colours and patterns of plants and flowers when she became artist in residence at the Gilbert White House.

Currently, she is embarking on a two year dream commission in the glass houses at Kew, studying and painting the exotic plants for an upcoming publication.