Rona Newsom

I am a South African by birth and have enjoyed a long working life in the demanding and creative fields of journalism and art.

At 19 I bought a one-way ticket to find work in London’s Fleet Street and in so doing, honed my skills on women’s magazines, advertising and script writing for children's papers. While raising two sons from the home base I freelanced as a journalist and did evening classes in drawing, painting and pottery.

More recently, after moving to Gamblesby and acquiring a studio, I was able to devote my time to my art interests where I took part in the C-Art Open Studios and also exhibited and sold my work to galleries in the Lake District.

My husband and I have now downsized and moved to Penrith. I haven’t space for easels anymore and have made the change from oils to a whole new world of water, paper, paints, guache, pens and inks. Scarey and hugely exciting.

I have always enjoyed strong colours, story-telling pictures, mood-capturing landscapes and even the insides of orchids when painting botanical examples. So, here’s to a new beginning!

rona.newsom.perkins@hotmail.co.uk