Love Letters by Jemma Thompson Open Exhibition – Friday 28th May – 6.00pm After being inspired by Bridport Signwriter, Colin Grainger, apprentice to the late George Biles (many of whose beautiful paintings adorn the walls of the Palace), Jemma Thompson was trained as a traditional signwriter at South Devon College Torquay and Graduated in 2001.
It was during her time at college that Jemma`s passion for painted lettering grew and she won an award for "The most outstanding student Signwriter in 30years".
After college she had a few years teaching Arts and Crafts in North Devon and later in Mexico. In 2007, having moved back to Dorset, Jemma set up her studio at St Michaels Trading Estate and became an Apprentice Gilder in Lulworth, (a natural addition to Sign writing or `Street Jewellery` as it is called.)
This is her First Ever Solo Exhibition, where she hopes to inspire others to take a closer look at this much underrated Art Form. (all of it completely hand produced.)
Alongside Signwork, Jemma has, for the past 20 years been drawing highly realistic animal portrait commissions in water colour pencil and charcoal for people all over the UK and continues to do so today. These animals have life !
`Filete Porteno`, a painting style from Buenos Aires, currently inspires her work. `Filete` expresses and captures the joy of life beautifully in the form of colour, shape, pictorials, lettering, movement and emotion using Acanthus leaf scrolls, symbols and icons.
Future plans are to continue developing her drawing and brushwork skills, to visit Buenos Aires one day and to set up a course here in the UK with Alfredo Genovese, the Great Argentinian `Filete` Painter.
First night evening viewing on Friday 28th May from 6.00pm – open invitiation
