Explore Independent Cambridge: Sue Rapley

With the help of Independent Cambridge - the community of ‘real’ Cambridge - Cambridge Network continues its weekly exploration of the best independent shops, cafés, restaurants, venues and events in Cambridge and the surrounding area. This week: artist Sue Rapley.

For Cambridge-based artist, Sue Rapley, inspiration for her work is found daily – in her way of life and in her local surroundings. From early childhood, at her home in Cambridge and on regular family holidays to the North Norfolk coast, Sue has always been fascinated with the ever-changing natural world around her.

Locally, the wild meadows nearby have inspired her landscape pieces and daily walks with her dogs allow her to see constant changes in the environment. Sue also has a great love of the sea and water and that natural, wild environment that connects land and sea together.

Painting predominately with oils, Sue translates these natural influences in an expressive way, using her visual memory to capture the essence of a moment – to create a response, a feeling, an emotion. Layers and textures are built up with strokes of her palette knife to create a sense of actually being there, in the landscape, and her vibrant colour palette is closely linked to the influences of the changing seasons.

Changing and developing her own skills and exploring the painting process is also an important part of Sue’s creative life. Attending a course in expressive landscape painting in Cornwall recently has encouraged Sue to experiment with some more elemental, fluid pieces of work – which add a new feel to her coastal pieces.

Sue is also a member of Cambridge Open Studios and Cambridge Creative Network, and her watercolour work can also be seen in the new Cambridge Art Book. She regularly exhibits at galleries and art events across the region and is specifically represented locally by The Darryl Nantais Gallery, Linton as well as the VK Gallery, St Ives, and has an on-line shop with Artfinder.

Her clients include both private and corporate collectors including Addenbrooke's Arts who recently acquired two paintings from her Spring 2017 collection for a new Treatment Unit at the hospital.

www.suerapley.co.uk

Discover unique boutiques and boutique hotels mingled with communities of artists and craftspeople. Sample an award-winning restaurant or thriving little café tucked away in a back street – all easy to locate via the comprehensive Independent Cambridge directory.  It features hundreds of local traders, artists, makers, producers, venues and events – all of which play a part in the real life of the city and local area. Run by long-term residents with a true passion for all things indie, the site is packed with valuable insider knowledge of the local scene. And whoever you are - resident or visitor; whatever you search for, read about and choose to visit, you can be sure it’s independent!


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