Deborah Walker RI RSMA FRSA
Deborah Walker was born in Barton-under-Needwood and educated in Fine Art at De Montford University where she received a first class Honours Degree in Fine Art in 1985.
Deborah Walker was born in Barton-under-Needwood and educated in Fine Art at De Montford University where she received a first class Honours Degree in Fine Art in 1985.
In April 2011, Deborah was elected a member of the RI and then elected to the RI Council in 2014.
in April 2016 she founded the ‘Friends of the RI’ and 2017 was elected Friends’ Secretary.
Still living in Barton-under-Needwood and painting from her studio, ‘Ridware Arts’ in Hamstall Ridware, Deborah has developed a striking portfolio of work ranging from the subtleties of a secluded or empty beach, to the hustle and bustle of a busy London cityscape. Indeed her desire to work in watercolour on a large scale means that she buys her watercolour paper by the roll so that she can make these large dramatic paintings, often complimenting the works with subtle lines of text or poetry.
‘i have always regarded drawing as the seminal process from which all art forms grow. Drawing as mark making in an intrinsic part of being human: everybody does it but developing a language of drawing and painting that can express feelings and emotional responses has always been my aim. My paintings are concerned with landscape, both in broad expanse and in close up detail and express both the dramatic and subtle ways in which light transforms a subject.’
A recurring theme in Deborahs’ work is the depiction of water, as it provides a consistent challenge. Her approach to watercolour embraces both representational and abstract elements, pushing the character of her watercolours to the extreme.
As an elected member of the RI and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Deborah also teaches classes and workshops in a variety of media and exhibits widely across the country, having art works placed internationally.
In 2018 Deborah was elected a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, RSMA.
1985 First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art, De Montfort University.
1996 – 10 Exhibiting in mixed and solo exhibitions, Teaching Drawing and Watercolour, One day workshops, Talks and Demonstrations for the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Art Groups, Societies and private galleries
2002 Founded ‘Ridware Arts,’ studios and workshops
2002 Elected Fellow to the Royal Society of Arts
2006 Elected Member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
2008 – 10 Chair of Staffordshire Open Studios
2008 Opened ‘the gallery @ Ridware Arts’
2011 Elected member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour (RI)
2014 RI Steward for the Artists’ General Benevolent Institution
Elected to RI Council
Mixed and selected exhibitions
RI, Mall Galleries, London: 06 – 15
Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize, Mall Galleries, London: 12
R.W.S., Bankside Gallery, London: 04 – 11
RSMA, Mall Galleries, London: 11 – 15
Lloyds Register, London: 14, 15
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery: 14
Sunday Times Watercolour Competition: 10 – 15
R.B.S.A.: 98 – 10
RWA, Bristol: 04 – 07
Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, Mall Galleries, London: 01 – 03
Adrian Hill Fine Art, Holt, Norfolk: 15 to date
The John Noott Galleries, Broadway Modern, Broadway: 11 to date
Fountain Fine Art, Cardiff: 12 to date
The National Theatre, London: 12
Solo exhibitions
Silk Top Hat Gallery, Shropshire: 15
Ingleby Gallery, Derbyshire: 96 – 14
Lichfield International Arts Festival, Lichfield Cathedral: 00
Malvern Festival Theatre, Malvern: 06
Ferrers Gallery, Leicestershire: 07 – 12
Awards
RI The Turner Medal, Antony J Lester Art Critic Award, The Escoda Barcelona Award:Mall Galleries, London:
RSMA The Charles Pears Award, RSMA Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries,
RWS First Prize Winner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Purchase Prize
and the Winsor & Newton Prize, 21st Century Watercolour Exhibition,
Bankside Gallery, London: 08
RWS First Prize Winner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Purchase Prize,
21st Century Watercolour Exhibition, Bankside Gallery, London: 05
RBSA Prize Exhibition: 06 07 Open All Media (Watercolour) 04
