Kathie Layfield
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Kathie trained at Loughborough College of Art, gaining N.D.D. in Printed Textiles and Diploma of Loughborough College of Art. This was followed by Art Teachers’ Diploma at Leicester College of Art. She then taught Art in Leicestershire schools and Adult Education colleges where she was an ‘A’ Level Design Examiner for Oxford University Board of Educational Studies for many years.
Kathie was also a freelance illustrator for Ladybird Books, illustrating some 30 books and co-writing two on Drawing and Painting.
Kathie has continued to paint and has had a variety of mixed and solo shows in Leicestershire including the City Gallery, Vaughan College and the Frank Haynes Gallery. Kathie is also a member of the Leicester Society of Artists. She became a member of the Leicestershire Pastel Society since 2004 after being a guest exhibitor at the annual exhibition in 2003. In 2004 she was the winner of ‘Best traditional Work.'
Working in a variety of media pastels have recently become important to Kathie. Since contracting rheumatoid arthritis, pastels are often the most comfortable medium with which to work. Pastel suits her spontaneous style. It is a medium well-suited to capturing light and brilliance with its soft, chalky texture.
Subject matter is varied and constantly changing, but Still Life, portraiture, Life painting and illustrative work recur. Italy, its landscape and art, particularly fresco has had a particular influence on her work.