Anna Wilson-Patterson

Paintings and mono prints inspired by country life. My favourite subjects include fruit, chickens and the South Downs.

Anna Wilson-Patterson was born not so long ago in Cuckfield, Sussex. She spent her formative years on the South Wales coast, left home for college ‘up north’ and settled back in Sussex in 1992.

Having qualified as an Art Teacher, Anna moved into a diverse range of jobs. She managed a Latin American Craft and Culture Centre, organised a series of festival events such as ‘The Night of 100 Handbags’ and public art projects including a sculpted ‘Quiet Garden’. Her last post was establishing the renowned ‘Forum’ for charities in Brighton & Hove; after eight years in the company of more than 560 charities she has fond memories and an allergy to committees.
 
During her time as Chief Officer she maintained her equilibrium with three Open College of the Arts Painting Courses, life-drawing classes and, in 2005 & 2006, Anna and husband Paul held ‘Open House’ exhibitions as part of the Brighton Festival; Anna also exhibited at ‘New Beginnings’, a group show in the Crypt Gallery, Seaford.
 
In October 2007 the couple moved to Herstmonceux and opened ‘Arts Hut’ – a contemporary gallery and sculpture garden that shows the work of 30 artists and designers based in East Sussex. The premises, built in 1727 and formerly the Angears Sweet Factory, also house Paul’s graphic design business and Anna’s painting studio.

Having settled into rural village life, Ruby, a German Shorthaired Pointer, joined the Arts Hut family and ensures Anna experiences a healthy dose of dawn and dusk weather. Also resident in an idyllic chook ‘hotel’ in the sculpture garden are Gracie, Florence and Maude: chickens with absolutely fabulous feathers.

Anna’s current work explores the unique qualities of areas such as Pevensey Marshes, High & Over in Alfriston and Cuckmere Haven. Most works are a distillation of collected experiences from traveling through the tantalising landscape. Each oil painting begins with a tonal under painting to which layers of colour and texture are gradually added. Anna’s palette of little more than three colours imbues her work with exquisite tonal depth. Each piece is textured by scratching into the surface to create canvases that are as evocative as they are inimitable.

Another muse are the fascinating creatures that roam the countryside. Her vast, and much sought after, portraits of chickens and cows are the result of invitations to nearby farms, yards, fields and barns. They have yielded a range of delightful pieces of work, both in oil and monoprint, which capture all the character, charm and idiosyncrasies of the animals.

Do visit Anna’s Studio at Arts Hut where you’ll be assured of a warm welcome and a wonderful array of affordable works of art.
 

Anna's Studio, Arts Hut, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4LE

Directions:

On the A271 in the centre of Herstmonceux, opposite Willows Pharmacy. Free car park behind the Woolpack Inn.

Street Map