Jacki Stokes Born in London in the 1950's I now live in Taunton, Somerset. A background in photography and a love of flowers has encouraged me to specialise in watercolour flower portraits, often using experimental techniques to achieve exciting textures. Most importantly I strive to capture the vulnerability and transience of the flowers. My watercolour flower paintings have been described as vibrant and luminous. To achieve this effect I use good quality transparent watercolour paint and lots of it! I've noticed that I prefer painting large flowers, and those with a fairly defined centre (not the double varieties, and nothing too tiny). I think I have a preference for a "Bee's Eye View!" Painting with watercolour can be frustrating but is always magical - perfect for capturing the luminosity and texture of the petals; some are transparent like stained glass windows, others are thick and soft like velvet. I like to let the paint do its own thing where possible - it's just amazing to watch it blend and flow, creating effects that are never the same twice. I have started to use other media, but watercolour will always be my first love. I have recently started to paint landscapes too; again using experimental techniques and mixed media. I am a member of Taunton Art Group and the Blackdown Flower Painters. I have exhibited at Exeter College of Art & Design, the National Trust's Barrington Court (2009) and Killerton House (2010, 2011 and 2012), Quartz Arts Festival, Queens College, Taunton (2009), Ilminster Arts Centre (2011) and the Royal Horticultural Society's exhibition "The Artist's Garden" at Rosemoor, Devon (2012). I exhibit annually at Taunton Library. New for 2012: * I exhibited with Taunton Art Group at Taunton Library in March 2012, where I received the Best Watercolour Award for my painting of Rosa Rugosa Alba. (www.tauntonartgroup.co.uk) * I started my own business – Garden View Studio in April. Supplying high quality original greetings cards, featuring prints of my own watercolour paintings, to independent retailers in and around Taunton. Cards are available at various outlets including the lovely Olive Tree Delicatessen and Café in Bridge Street Taunton (where I also have some paintings on display in the Café), and Willowbrook Garden Centre (between Taunton and Wellington). * I am currently exhibiting at the Royal Horticultural Society's exhibition "The Artists' Garden" at Rosemoor in Devon (ends 23rd September). * I am taking part in Somerset Art Weeks 2012 for the first time, along with Trudi Morgan (artist specialising in pet portraits and flowers) and Josephine Wadman (jewellery designer who hand - makes beautiful lampwork beads). Venue 135 from 15th to 30th September. * Along with Dawn Mangan I intend to run some exciting painting workshops in the New Year, so I am busy preparing for those. If you are interested in coming to them, please leave your contact details. Altogether it's being a very exciting year! If you wish to contact me please email: [email protected] For further examples of my work, please see: www.saatchionline.com/Jacki or www.somersetartworks.org.uk/artists/jacki-stokes Keep an eye open for my website coming online soon to see examples of my cards: www.gardenviewstudio.com (still under construction).