Weather With You

Rachel Kershaw Arif is inspired by Kent’s landscapes, especially its marshes and the magical Weald.

- Diana Crampton

RACHEL Kershaw Arif is originally from Lancashire and after a period in London, she has settled in Chislehurst and is delighted with this “undiscovered gem.”

She says: “It’s the archetypal English village with duck ponds and a cricket club. It has a vibrant high street, elegant Victorian Parade, lovely commons and easy access to both London and the Kent coast.”

Given the choice to live and paint in any place in the world, Rachel would choose first London, but Paris comes a near second best, with its Musée d’Orsay and excellent opportunities to view Impressionist art.

Although Rachel studied Foundation art in Rochdale, she never settled into an art career until later, working in various jobs. “I never felt hugely motivated or fulfilled until I came back to my painting. I think my love of beautiful spaces helps. I like to create art that people will want to display, paintings that are memorable.”

Rachel is circumspect about the values of formal art training, suggesting that “dumb boldness is the best way to approach a new challenge” and that “being self-taught allows for a freedom to move easily between disciplines and media, without the commitment to a university department.”