July 11th 2006


Stroud-based artist Wendy Thompson went back to her roots in the North-east recently – to help present one of her paintings to the Governor of the Bank of England.

Wendy, who was formerly Artist in Residence for the Darlington Building Society from 2001 to 2003 was invited back to present a signed limited edition print of one of her paintings to Mervyn King who was on an official visit to building society offices.

The painting depicts the society’s first head office in Church Row, Darlington.

“It was an honour to be invited back to help celebrate the Darlington Building Society’s 150th anniversary and to meet the governor of the Bank of England.
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Wendy, whose work sells internationally, has most recently been busy in Dursley running a cartoon workshop for youngsters at GL11.

Locally her work can be seen at the Rivers Gallery, Nailsworth and the Blue Zucchini Tetbury. Room for Art, Cobham, Surrey

Wendy first won a commission for the Darlington Building Society in 2001 with a selection of vibrant contemporary paintings portraying aspects of the Society’s role in the community.

During 2002 she became the Society's first 'artist in residence' (funded by Darlington Building Society and Northern Arts Encore Award) and produced a number of pieces which reflected a year in the life of the Society. Her original work is still on display in their head office in Darlington.

Wendy Thompson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and has won a reputation for herself in the North-east with exhibitions at Newcastle’s Biscuit Factory and prestigious corporate commissions.

She subsequently won a string of business award nominations and got an award in 2002 for a collaboration with a company under Art and Business New Partners. Last year one of her paintings was selected for an exhibition at the Oxo Tower on London’s South Bank and she’s also exhibited in the USA

Picture caption:

Peter Rowley (left) chief executive of Darlington Building Society and artist Wendy Thompson present the print to Bank of England governor Mervyn King.


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Award-winning artist Wendy Thompson is launching her first exhibition in the Cotswolds on Friday March 11 2005.

Wendy Thompson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and has carved a reputation for herself in the North East with exhibitions at Newcastle’s Biscuit Factory, prestigious corporate commissions and as Artist in Residence at the Darlington Building Society.

Thanks to sponsorship from Gary Corlett, owner of the Blue Zucchini Brasserie, Tetbury, Wendy is launching her work in Gloucestershire - her new home - with a private view at which she will auction one of her paintings in aid of Tetbury Hospital.

The exhibition, ‘Encounters’ is a milestone which marks Wendy’s arrival in the area and represents a move in a new artistic direction too.

Wendy says “Moving to Gloucestershire is a complete change of scene for me. I had often admired photographs of the Gloucestershire landscape but when I visited for the first time I was captivated.

“It just amazes me each day as I wake up and see the rolling valleys and honey-coloured stone villages. Over Christmas I just loved walking around the villages, seeing and hearing live music and people dancing. It makes me feel so inspired and creative.

“I have two sons aged 15 and 11 and it seemed the ideal time for all of us to make the change.

“As I’m just getting to know people here, I wanted to make a lasting contribution to the community. The best way of doing that that I could think of was to support the local hospital. It’s a cause close to my heart as I lost my mother to cancer.”

Born and raised in Stockton, Wendy studied fine art, botanical art and graphic art at Cleveland College of Art and Design. She worked in an archaeology department as a graphic artist before she was made redundant in 2000.

It was then, at the age of 40, divorced and with two young sons that she decided to become a professional artist. It was a choice not without risks but her careful planning and acumen resulted in a string of business award nominations.

She was nominated for Best New Business Awards 2001, Best New Business Awards 2003 and nominated again for Cultural Arts and Crafts for 'Art in the Making' 2003.

In 2002 she won an award from A & B Arts and Business for a partnership between her, as an artist and Davy Process Technology (an investment under Arts and Business New Partners.

There was a “Year in the Life” exhibition and her time as Artist in Residence with the Darlington Building Society along with corporate commissions including from Enron Power.

For Wendy, painting is her one and only driving passion. She is recognised for large vivid oils encompassing landscapes and architectural subjects but recently she has turned to smaller, warmer and more intimate portrays of nightlife.
Press Release 2005

Her new work will be on show at the Blue Zucchini Brasserie from March 12th for onwards.

“In my latest paintings, I have tried to capture a sense of passion, emotion and imagination. I’ve been creating a series of encounters which tell a story of love and intrigue which I hope will capture viewers’ imaginations. They might even fantasise about what it would be like to be there.”

One of Wendy’s latest paintings “The Meeting” has been selected as part of “The Art of Love” exhibition at the galley in the Oxo Tower on London’s South Bank.

More than 350 artists competed for selection and the three winning entries, judged by a panel including artist Reginald Gray, will be announced at the opening night on Thursday 10th February. The Oxo Tower exhibition runs until 27 February.






2001 The Art and Frame Catalogue, Craythorn Publications
2001 The Fine Art Trade Guild Directory, Fine Art Trade Guild...