Sophie Harding

ABOUT SOPHIE

Born in London, 1970, Sophie’s parents relocated to Somerset and then Swanage, Dorset where she grew up, the eldest of 7 siblings. Between 1986 - 1988 Sophie studied a BTEC in General Art and Design, Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. Following this she gained a distinction in BA Hons Fashion and Textile Design 1988 - 1992, a 4 year sandwich course at Central St Martins 1991. She then selected to live and work in New York for 3 months designing prints for womenswear at the Style Council as part of her college course.

Inspiring artists include Milton Avery, Mary Fedden, William Scott, Klaas Gubbels, Etel Adnan, Bonnard, Ken Done and Matisse. Sophie’s work is concerned with simplicity, harmony and balance. She is passionate about colour and the emotions that colour evokes within a painting. Working mainly from life and sketches she paints moments from her life -  a collection of objects in the home, seasonal fruit and flowers, a morning spent on the beach or at a Cornish garden. By simplifying objects and scenes she aims to create feelings of joy, escapism, calm and stillness with a focus on the small and simple joys in life. Sophie lives in Penzance and works at home in her tiny studio, 5 minutes away from the seafront.