Maggie Cross

I believe that it should be a fun and enjoyable experience. I do a short introduction to the art of Chinese Brush Painting and then do a demonstration. I then give individual guidance to each student.

The students will gain a knowledge of the history and symbolism of Chinese painting as well as a knowledge of the traditional materials and techniques used enabling them to produce paintings in the Chinese style.

I show students initially the traditional techniques but encourage them to develop these to make their work individual. As it is a practical course and each class is unique, I gauge my course according to the needs of the students but it is a very informal approach.

I gain my inspiration from the Chinese masters and from the natural surroundings and the scenery of China. Flowers are my speciality and although I paint in the Chinese style, I gain inspiration from the beauty of the plants and flowers from where I happen to be at the time!

From my website. I also take part in various exhibitions which are also detailed on my website.

I trained originally as a primary teacher, specialising in art, at the Froebel Educational Institute, Roehampton. I have worked with Chinese master and artists in the UK, China and Hong Kong. I taught in schools for many years and have taught Chinese painting for over 30 years.

See above and have recently run a two day course at the Victoria and Albert Museum to coincide with their Imperial Robe Exhibition.

I have work in private collections in the UK and abroad.

I have written two small books on the subject and am due to have a fully illustrated and instruction book published in September 2011

I belong to the Chinese Brush Painters Society and The Society of Floral Painters.