Lesley Blackburn
Painter Impressionism ,Seascapes, Floral Art , Abstract and Mixed Media
Biography
Studied Foundation Course in Art in 1978 - 1979 at Wakefield School of Art and Technology - Graphics , 3 D design , Sculpture and Ceramics , Painting , Life Drawing Studied BA Hons in Fine Art and Sculpture in 1979 at Winchester School of Art . In the 1980's many art students became disillusioned with trying to make a living from fine art selling through traditional galleries of the day . There was always an undertone or snobbery because the galleries did not like anyone who was not a ' known name ' so it was difficult to become established as an artist . I chose a career in Nursing and Midwifery but continued my passion for painting throughout my career and sold work privately largely to the medical profession in the early years . I rose through the midwifery and nursing ranks and managed birth centres and became an advanced midwifery practitioner and in 2000 was appointed Matron and Midwifery Manager in the Lindo Wing in Paddington where I was in sole charge of the maternity unit , managing a team of consultants, midwives, nurses ,health care assistants assistants ,nursery nurses ,ward clerks and house keeping staff . I also did the on call rota for the NHS side at St Marys Paddington providing operational and clinical support to nursing and medical staff and attending emergencies and dealing with complex problems and difficult situations . In 2005 I was appointed as an advanced practitioner managing the Hospital Birth Centre and Home from Home Unit at Guys and St Thomas Hospital . From 2008 to 2011 I was formally elected Governor to the Trust representing Nursing and Midwifery at Guys and St Thomas . This provided an opportunity to represent the trust and liase with the board on a wide range of issues within the hospital and community .
In 2009 I joined www.artgallery.co.uk and became a professional artist and having my first exhibitions at the Malvern Theatre in Worcestershire . I sold a few pieces initially but progressed quickly to become a best selling artist selling well over 400 hundred paintings . other sites quickly followed after this and I am now well known on www.artfinder.com ,www.art2arts.co.uk .saatchiart.com. and singulart.com .My work is in collections all over the world from Australia, South ,USA, Canada ,Denmark ,Dubai, Switzerland ,Belgium ,Spain as well as the United Kingdom .