KATE LYNCH

Born in 1949, Kate began her artistic journey with a History of Art degree and an art teaching qualification. She was soon exhibiting her own paintings in galleries whilst working freelance on large-scale mural projects in schools and communities, returning later to study painting and drawing at the University of the West of England under David Ferguson.  She has developed a style of painting in oils which is low-key and atmospheric and has become known over the last 20 years for her paintings and charcoal drawings documenting rural working life in Somerset.   She has exhibited widely in the West Country and her themed exhibitions of willow growers and basketmakers, shepherds, and beekeepers, have toured to other parts of the country.  Her most recent collection, FARM, recorded the work in a variety of Somerset farms, including orchards and cidermaking.  Her published books contain her paintings and drawings, together with extracts from her recorded interviews with the people she paints. She has become immersed in Somerset’s rural history and traditions and gives talks on the themes she has documented. She also runs occasional workshops, especially on expressive charcoal drawing.