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Cathy Read

About

Growing up amidst the decaying mills of the Cotton industry, Cathy was born in Manchester (UK). Needing to paint and draw from an early age.

Drawing was second nature to her. She was creating recognisable portraits when she was twelve, receiving her first commissions while still in school.

Although drawn strongly to art, her Father’s death when she was 17 led to her questioning it’s value. Desiring to make a more practical difference to people’s lives. Cathy began training in Occupational therapy. Working with Dyspraxic children for the National Health Service until 1996. Then moving into private practice. She returned to Art in 2008 and her career has grown from there.
Constantly seeking out new opportunities, Cathy continues to expand her profile in the real and virtual worlds.

Location: Buckingham, United Kingdom
Website: http://cathyread.com
https://www.facebook.com/CathyReadArtPortfolio

Work

Group exhibitions in France and Norway in 2012
Artist Participant at the Tate Modern Performance piece "From Morning 'til night" by Katerina Seda -2011
Artist residency at Fringe MK Westbury 2011-2012
Both solo and group Exhibition widely across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire in 2010-2012.
I have completed a number of successful commissions as well as selling work created freely. 2008-2012 … Read More

Education

I'm a self taught - although I believe all artists are self taught to some degree. Education can only teach so much - the real education is what happens beyond the degree.
My real education has come from the passion to create art that is unique and a desire to explore and challenge media and artistic concepts.

I studied art to sixth form. But went into occupational therapy where I used art extensively in therapy. Both as a creative outlet and as a means of exploring emotion.

Building my art career since 2008, when the need to create became too strong to ignore.

Since then I've been honing my skills to create distinct bodies of work. And more recently learning how to exhibit and market that work more effectively. … Read More