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Born in 1956, I began to paint at a very early age and was highly commended for my work by the Royal Drawing Society when only 12 years old. Despite coming top of my class in art for most of my school years and despite the protests of my art teachers I did not continue in my art studies after leaving school. Instead I pursued various ‘safer’ careers in the city of London and finally in teaching after graduating in 1984 with a degree in Theology. However, I continued to paint whilst being Head of Religious Studies and raising two children. Finally I gave up teaching in the late 1990’s to follow my passion. I became a fulltime artist in 2001 at the age of 45 (it’s never too late!). Alongside commercial work for galleries, which you can view on www.pennywarden.com, I had a solo tour of over ten cathedrals with my series of crucifixion paintings called ‘The Phoenix Paintings’. My first religious commission was for St. John’s Church Waterloo London. My work has appeared in many high-profile locations and galleries across London, the UK and abroad. My paintings are created in a radical and exciting way, working whenever possible with a maximum of spontaneity, with vibrant colours splashed and thrown in an arbitrary, though deliberate manner. The resulting figures are full of movement, emotion and drama. My paintings have featured in a number of national and international magazines and publications. I have been a speaker at numerous conferences and have been part of several consultation groups at Windsor Castle on ‘Human Creativity in the Arts’. In March this year I will be giving the ITIA Research Seminar at St Andrews University.
