Collette Batho

As a child I loved jewellery and stones. I wanted to be a jeweller but I wasn’t encouraged to, so in 1971 I compromised and went to Bishop Otter College where I could do Art as my main subject for a B Ed.

Later, I completed City and Guilds in Jewellery and Design at Northbrook College. Since then, I completed the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at West Dean College and Stone Setting at the Cornwall School of Jewellery.

I have participated in numerous Art Trails along the South Coast and completed many commissions in both jewellery and painting. I run 2 art groups. One is a plein-air sketchers group at Hotham Park. The second is held indoors and comes under U3A. I believe that if you can hold a pencil and make a mark, you can make art.

My inspiration comes from the World around me. I believe there is beauty to be found in everything. We just need to change our perspective or look a little deeper.