If there's one nice thing about the impending winter, it's the excuse to buy greeting cards - an annual discovery of the work of the world's leading artists and a way to share some personal favourites without spending a small fortune. These days, all major galleries offer cards and gifts exposing the work of their major exhibitors - and the sheer volume of choice is something of a challenge.
For those of us exposed to the art scene of the Sixties, however, the choice has been made a lot easier this year by London's Royal Academy, which is featuring the work of Mary Fedden in its card selection.
One of those largely unrecognized geniuses who has nonetheless influenced an entire generation, Mary Fedden has succeeded in keeping her style current and vital for over seventy-five years, making a gradual transition from representational to impressionistic forms without ever lessening her mastery of colour, form and design.
Born in Bristol in 1915, she studied at London's Slade School from 1932 to 1936 and went on to a highly successful career, despite the interruptions of the Second World War. She taught Painting at the Royal College of Art from 1958 to 1964 where she was the first woman tutor to teach in the Painting School. Later, she taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School from 1965 to 1970.
At the same time, Mary Fedden has continued to exhibit nationally and internationally for over thirty years, her most recent show being this year at London's Portland Gallery.
You can learn more about "Blackbird in The Snow" and other the designs featured on the Royal Academy's 2008 card sets by contacting: ra@ionmx.com
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