I am an impressionist artist living and working in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire in the UK.
I wasn't always an artist.
In a former life I was a qualified nurse in the NHS.
Then I went to art school. It opened my eyes.
I brought up a family whilst painting, and occasionally working the odd nursing shift.
Now my family is grown up and I paint nearly full time.
I'm not famous but my work can be seen in a whole lot of homes. I've exhibited in galleries and group shows as well as art fairs and have taken part in local open studio events.
I love the cut and thrust and the personal interaction of an art show but not carting boxes of paintings about so the internet is where I feel most at home.
My website is www.marykemp.co.uk
Over the years my work has evolved, and I didn’t realise until recently that it reflected much of my life. No matter how hard I try I cannot paint with any conviction anything other than my experiences in the world, and the things that spark my happiness and curiosity.
I don’t think these experiences have been anything special; they are ordinary things that women all over the world come across all the time.
When I first started painting it was a very male dominated world, and I always felt a bit awkward about including themes of family and children. Stupid really.
My latest series, which I started about 2 years ago and keep adding to, is called Long Lost Days and tells of family holidays on the beach.”
