Four Parishes Arts Society - February 2012

Soraya was born in Tehran and originally studied Natural Science and Agricultural Engineering. After political unrest she came to England in 1977, studied English in Cambridge and attended an experimental workshop at Cricklade College in the late 1980s. Soraya is a versatile artist. She is an elected member of the Society of Women Artist and Society of Floral Painters and currently President of the Andover Art Society. Her studio is at the Project Workshops.

As a demonstration, Soraya copied a beautiful photo of a bay in Cornwall with a mixed foreground of winter foliage sweeping round towards a distant headland, and a background of rough seas breaking in the bay. When Soraya started we were all very dubious that it would turn out anything like the photo. As she painted she gave a clear commentary on how she was using the paint colours to build up to the finished picture with acrylics and other media. Due to shortage of time she was unable to complete the painting but what she had done was a delight. We are all very anxious to see the finished picture, and perhaps she will hang it at our Arts and Crafts Exhibition in May.

There was so much interest that during the coffee break members went up to look closer at the painting and Soraya was only too pleased to explain her technique. Soraya is a very friendly lady and we thoroughly enjoyed her demonstration and look forward to her return in the future.

Tuesday 14th February – Monxton Hall – 8.00 p.m. Robin Aisher – Olympic yachtsman – “What it means to be a competitive sportsman”