Penny Lee has been painting for fifteen years under the tutelage of Brian Bennett PPROI and latterly of Ken Paine PS VPSPF. Whilst living in Hertfordshire she exhibited locally, enjoying some acclaim and recognition, and undertaking numerous commissions. Brian Bennett tutored her in the use of oils, particularly in respect of still life studies. With Ken Paine, Penny has developed her love of pastels and acrylics and mostly paints landscapes, nudes and studies of people in everyday situations. She attributes her latest achievements very much to his inspirational teaching and guidance.
In 2003 the artist won the Winsor & Newton Prize for the best portrait at the ROI annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London, and repeated this with another first prize at their 2004 exhibition. Her paintings have been shown at the Society of Women Artists 2005 & 2006 and 2009 where she won a major award from Windsor & Newton. She has also exhibited at 2005 exhibition of Le Societe de Pastellistes de France, Paris, The 2006,7 & 8 Pastel Society exhibitions, the 2006 Discerning Eye Exhibition and the 2007 exhibition of the Royal Instutute of Painters in Watercolours
Penny\'s work is recognised by her bold brush strokes and, in particular, the atmosphere she manages to create in whatever subject she paints. She is passionate about this aspect of her work and says it is essential for her to feel the essence of the subject, whether that be an atmosphere or an object/person.
\'Drawing is the easy bit \' creating a piece of art is where it gets difficult!\'
