Roberta was born in the West Country and although originally training as a Graphic Designer in Bristol, has more recently worked as a jewellery designer since moving to Cornwall in 2010. It was during lockdown, unable to work and looking for another creative avenue, that Roberta rekindled her interest in painting. Deciding to close her jewellery business meant that she could then concentrate on painting full time.
Moving to Cornwall was where Roberta finally felt at home, walking the coast path and exploring the rocks and pebbles around the many coves and beaches, taking endless photographs of the details that catch her eye. She can often be found scrambling over the rocks, studying the colours, textures and marks, and noticing the found compositions of the natural folds and strata and the interplay of shapes.
Slipping the odd pebble in her pocket, it is this and the photos taken that inform the work back in the studio. Using acrylics and mixed media on board, Roberta works abstractly, sometimes incorporating collage pieces that she has printed herself with rock textures and repeat patterns. Working in many layers of paint, textured gels and collage which are then sanded back and scratched into to reveal previous layers with unexpected results, which echo the erosion and passing of time of the natural landscape. Roberta has also been developing her love of monoprinting and collage to work alongside her paintings.
