Bridget Arregger

One of my favourite mantras is 'accurate but not neat', encouraged by a tutor many years ago who demonstrated that although key features must be in the right place if you want it to be recognizable, a painting is often more appealing if it is created with feeling and flourish and is not too meticulous and precise. I work in a variety of styles and media with oils, acrylics or pastels, using brushes, pieces of torn paper, pieces of credit card, painting/palette knives, fingers or anything that comes to hand. I like to follow rules and then break them. Quick knife or charcoal sketches give me the most pleasure.

I'm in my 70s and have two children and four grandchildren. The highlights of my week, now I'm retired, are three art groups where I'm free to explore (make a mess if I'm in my own home) and share tea, cake and laughter.