I returned to the UK/Europe in the spring of 1993. For the first six months, I lived with my cousin and family in Crickhowell, Wales – or as I call it The Magical Town of Crickadoon.
Set in the beautiful Usk Valley, where the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons meet, just twenty miles from Hereford and the English boarder, it is indeed an area of outstanding natural beauty.
I made a home there for 12 years until I moved to London in 2005 – the place if my birth.
In this photograph, taken right after I moved to Wales, I am with my two cousins, Lynn and Mike.
After returning I contacted a relative, Care Weight, who was a well known English artist and had been professor of painting at the Royal College of art.
In 1997, Carel died aged 89. This image shows the programme given out at a wonderful tribute to his life, held at the Royal Academy, which I attended. The painting is Carel’s tribute to Turner as he soars to heaven.
From 1973 until I returned to the UK in 1993′ I had painted under my married name, ‘Reed’. Carel and I both agreed that it was time to paint using my maiden name, ‘Weight’. Hence my signature…Janet Weight Reed.
Once again proof of the interconnectedness of life. Shortly after moving to London in 2005′ I gave my first workshop for The Fulham/Hammersmith Arts Society, also known as SOFAP.
This photograph was taken at that workshop when I was giving a portrait painting demonstration.
Ironically, it turned out that Carel Weight was one of the founders of the Association back in the fifties!
Tomorrow I am giving another workshop for the same group and then staying with a good friend, which means I will be back on line Monday 27th
Have a lovely weekend.
A bientot
My Life as an Artist (2) 