A Swedish artist residing near Royston is to have her work displayed at an exhibition at Burloes Farm Studios as part of Herts Open Studios 2016, a county-wide event which gives the public the chance to visit artists and find out about their ideas, inspiration and methods.

Royston Crow: Some of artist Christina Pattison's work.Some of artist Christina Pattison's work. (Image: Archant)

Christina Pattison moved to England in 1963 and settled in Barley 19 years ago. She has painted all her life but took it up professionally after completing her degree at the Hertfordshire College of Art in 1986.

“I’ve always painted and always found art interesting,” she said.

“I came to England orginally as an au pair, then married and had children, but kept painting, and working on ceramics and tapestries and sold some of my work as a freelancer in that time.”

Christina said painting is very therapeutic and it has helped her cope with difficult periods in her life, she also likes to help others express themselves through art.

“I’m a very spiritual person and I see the good and the colour in things and that’s where my inspiration for painting comes from,” she said.

“I want to bring colour and joy to people’s lives.”

Christina has had many solo and group exhibitions in the UK, Sweden and France, and has work displayed in Barley’s St Margaret’s Church, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

“My way of painting is drawn from my roots in Sweden, a long beautiful country, which holds itself in majesty through its folklore, culture and history,” she said.

“The hardship of the past, a cold, poor country with long dark winters, gives birth to a celebration of light, an inner faith, and a spiritual totality which are expressed in my paintings.”

Christina now divides her time teaching classes and workshops, being involved in the Barley community and creating her own paintings, sculptures and textiles.

Christina’s work can be seen tomorrow and Sunday, and next Saturday and Sunday September 10 and 11 between 12pm and 3pm each day at Burloes Farm Studios.

Go to christinapattison.co.uk or www.hvaf.org.uk for more information.