Jane Deakin has become a settled part of Rotherhithe life. “It’s been more than 30 years since I first moved in round here,” she recalls. “Back then, the area was very different and I started out squatting with an artist community. I fell in love with the area and settled down. Now Rotherhithe has become a real community but when I first came here, it was rather run down.” Jane can be found around and about in Rotherhithe, often painting in the open air. “I love to be able to get out and over the years, my landscapes have included many of the landmarks of the area.”
“…More recently I’ve ben painting on slates from the Thames. My paintings are both large and dramatic and miniature and intimate…”
Exhibition
Jane is holding a solo exhibition – called Songbird – at the Brunel Museum Café Gallery 1 February to 31 March. “I’ve worked in oils and water colour since I finished my degree in Fine Art at Reading University. Now I’ve begun working in pastels and that’s given me a new way of working. Nowadays lots of my prints are available online. I’ve always loved rich colours, either a dark or an ethereal look. I’m inspired by place or by dramatic flowers and more recently birds have become a muse. I’ve painted the goats at the Farm and a wild hare too. More recently I’ve been painting on slates found on the foreshore of the Thames. My paintings are both large and dramatic and miniature and intimate – I enjoy working on different scales.”
“…I love to be able to get out and over the years, my landscapes have included many of the landmarks of the area…”
Local Arts
Jane was born in Kennington and brought up in Dulwich and has been a key part of the artistic community in SE16 for many years. She used to show at the River Gallery when that was the place to show locally and has been a part of the Bermondsey Artists Group (BAG) since 1984. Jane recalls the creation of the Café Gallery – now CGP London – in Southwark Park, still one of the foremost independent galleries in London. You can also hear Jane sing as a keen member of St Mary’s Church choir and a soloist in her own right. She sings all sorts of music from Gershwin to Benjamin Britten.
Get along to Songbird her show at the Brunel Museum Café Gallery 1 February-31 March.
Jane Deakin
E: deakinjane@hotmail.com
FB: jane.deakin.5
You can buy her prints from Bridgeman Images
