The Exchange Painting

"I was lucky in that I grew up in a literary family and was regularly introduced to writers and painters of distinction. Attending the life class of one Jan Pienkowski introduced me to the world of life-modelling and I was able to engage first hand in the studios of many great painters and sculptors who made their mark on my determination to be an artist: Moynihan, Kitaj, Fisher, Belsky... to name a few." Charlotte Durie (neé Batchelor) produces work that is sensitive, energetic and passionate; she is able to be empathetic to her subject and capture its spirit, whether on canvas, paper or film. Her work transcends the medium and provides a strong statement of her passion, vision and understanding of the world around us. Charlotte grew up in Norfolk and Suffolk before moving to London at the age of 11. At sixteen Charlotte began her life-modelling career, building up an impressive artist client roster including Franta Belsky, Sandra Fisher, Paul Harbutt, R B Kitaj, Rodrigo Moynihan and Jan Pienkowski. Charlotte received a unique and inspiring art training. "She came, she saw, she drew! The result was astounding. There was my pony upon the page of her sketchbook. A wonderful tribute to a noble equine that has given us so much. His wonderful character etched with something that goes beyond his breed - an individual captured in the characteristic turn out of his near hind, his highly inquisitive expression marked in the depth of his eyes and the dignity that remains even during his advanced years." Sarah Newland Pratt