An arts trail gave a wider picture of personal challenges some artists face.
They told their stories at new Henley Arts Trail venues – Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Twyford, and Dolphin School, Hurst.
Virginia Davis, who is deaf, was at Stanlake with her “observational photos”. She says she notices things others might not as her deafness heightens her visual senses.
Spotting poppies covered in rain drops as she drove through the Chilterns she leapt out to capture the atmospheric scene.
Fellow artist Gaenor Green of Hurst said 350 people visited the Stanlake exhibition on the bank holiday trail’s first day. Gaenor displayed her line drawings with block colour and also her chalk pastel drawings.
She creates one pastel a week for her Where Am I Wednesday? feature on Instagram so people can guess where the scene is.
Chantal Ferrer of Shurlock Row exhibited her paintings influenced by the fields she walks her dog through and also pictures of family members in the countryside.
At Dolphin School artist Manuela Kagerbauer, of Twyford, said her world “turned upside down” when she was diagnosed with eye condition macular degeneration.
She was just three weeks into a two year jewellery making course. “I had a really good tutor who helped me work through it and turn it into my inspiration,” she said.
She achieved her MA degree and now works with glass, metal and mixed media, to represent the early symptoms of macular degeneration. The condition makes straight lines look slightly warped.
Also at Dolphin School was Liz Chaderton of Hurst with her paintings of toucans and macaws, inspired by her visit to Costa Rican rainforests.
Sayani Drury of Shinfield exhibited portraits and also pictures of roses, inspired by the 49 rose varieties in her garden. Tom Cartmill of Reading with a studio at Amners Field, Burghfield, displayed his abstract work. He mixes his own paints, producing textured finishes.
Joe de Mounteney of Hurst, an art teacher at Holyport College, displayed work by Holyport pupils. Dolphin School ran an arts week to coincide with the trail.
