Lesley Birch
Lesley Birch, born Glasgow 1958
Since graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1980 with an MA in English Literature and Music, Lesley has moved towards her love of art focussing on the themes of Time and Nature, inspired by her Scottish roots. Studies in fine art and printmaking in Cambridge and now in Harrogate have led Lesley towards a landscape format with a tendency towards the abstract. Her land and seascapes are loose, gestural works with her favoured medium of monoprinting, where the painterly process appeals to her love of spontaneous mark-making. She also enjoys making collagraphs and etchings responding to the changes and chances on the printing plate. Often she will mix drypoint with monoprinting to achieve the effects she desires.
Most recently, she has been working on a series of monoprints inspired by the works of William Wordsworth, a poet close to her heart. Since 2000, Lesley has successfully exhibited and sold her work in group shows throughout the UK.
C.V.
EDUCATION
1980 MA in English Literature at University of Glasgow
1994 PGCE University of Strathclyde
2000-2002 Fine Art Courses, Cambridge
2003-2005 Certificates in Printmaking, Leeds Metropolitan University
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2008 First exhibition of Harrogate Printmakers
2008 First Impressions The Station Gallery, Richmond
2008 East Coast Open, Scarborough Art Gallery (3 works selected)
2008 Feature Show, Flat Cat Gallery, Lauder, Scotland
2007 Winter Warmth, The Park Gallery, Falkirk, Scotland
2007 Summer Exhibition, RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
2007 Mixed Leeds Fine Art Club Show, Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
2007 Masham Arts Festival
2006 Leeds Open
2006 Doncaster Open
2005 Saltaire Arts Festival
Forthcoming
2008 Ripple Six Art Fair, Huddersfield (April)
2008 RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate (July-August)
SOCIETIES
2008 Lesley founded Harrogate Printmakers Group and set up their first educational exhibition at Stairwell Gallery, Harrogate Library
2003 member of Leeds Fine Art Club
2000 member of Cambridge Drawing and Painting Society