Venetia Norris

Drawing is the language through which I express my connection with nature in all its majestic forms.
I enjoy the spontaneity of drawing from life and communicating a sense of place. I only feel that I fully understand something if I have drawn it. I love the sound of a pencil leaving a mark, varying its pressure, looking carefully at what I am drawing while the work evolves upon the paper. I use a variety of materials including graphite, pen & ink, paint, charcoal gold/silver leaf upon paper and board.

Through my work I try to understand and express the journey of how a plant or flower grows. Everything living has an individual shape and form, everything makes it’s presence felt in some way, leaves a mark, some trace. Using just the tip of my pencil, graphite and ink I try to reveal the intricate layers, the sensuous interiors, the infinite variety and texture of a leaf, a stem, or a petal. I see beyond the initial form of beauty, gently but determinedly going behind the disguise of blossom or colour. My enthusiasm and curiosity of the plant world continues to be a lifelong passion.

Sir John Cass Art School, London Metropolitan University, BA Allied Arts, 2:1, 2006-2009
London College of Fashion, BA Costume for the Performing Arts, 2:1, 2000-2003
Chelsea College of Art, Foundation Year,1999-2000

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2018, Exhibition of prints, Winterbourne House & Garden, University of Birmingham, B15 2RT
2015, Layered Drawings, North London Collegiate School
2012, Linear Collections, National Trust Fenton House, Hampstead, London
2011, Pen to Paper, Crypt Gallery, St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London
2011, Lines of Beauty, Westbourne Grove Church ArtSpace, London
2009, Ink Drawings Inspired by Nature, Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London


GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2018
Florilegium 2018, Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Pl, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4LE, dates to tbc


2017
Bankside Biennale, Society of Graphic Fine Artists, Venue: Bankside Gallery, London 5-17 June

SGFA Group Exhibition, Venue: Grierson Galleries, 45a High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1JG 9-20 May

A walk on the wild side, group exhibition Venue: RK Burt Gallery, 57-61 Union St, London SE1 1SG, 24 April –5 May

Black Swan Arts, Venue: Black Swan, 2 Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BB, 4-25 March

Botanical Beauty, Venue: Riverside Gallery, Old Town Hall, Richmond London

Tower 42, Nature in the City, Venue: Tower 42 Old Broad Street, London

London Creative Network, SHOWCASE, Venue: SPACE Studios, London,...