Belinda Collett of Brixworth
I began my working career in a drawing office although the chance to actually produce ‘proper pictures’ was fairly limited. On some occasions I was fortunate enough to illustrate some front covers of consultation documentation but that was the real extent of my very early work.
My first real venture into the world of art was in the late 1990s with Mandy Dawkins (also of Brixworth) who was running weekly watercolour courses and it was she that gave me the initial encouragement to move forward.
During the years that followed I forged excellent working relationships with established and well respected local established artists such as Richard Allen, John Luce Lockett, Mary Rodgers, Win Morris, and John Frederick Black, all of whom have become my good friends and mentors in recent years.
All of these talented individuals have inspired me to reach the position I find myself today and I hope this is clearly evident in the work currently on display at this exhibition at Highgate House.
In turn, my enthusiasm and commitment to art, coupled with their help and advice, has also enabled me to give something back to other like-minded people by offering workshops for both drawing and painting, for which I hope to motivate others to follow in my footsteps.
Belinda is currently Vice Chairman of the Fellowship of Professional & Amateur Artists and is a recently elected committee member of the Network Art Group.