About Silke Ukena Silke grew up in Germany. Her great-grandmother, Vala Lamberger, was an artist who lived and worked in Heppenheim. Trained as an Osteopath in London, Silke has pursued this rewarding occupation running the Backbones Clinic in Thundersley for 25 years, as well as raising her 4 children. “I was always drawn to painting since I was a child, but about 14 years ago I decided to dabble with painting as a hobby … and it all went from there.” “A good friend, Basil Emmerson kindly offered to show me my first steps in Watercolour ( I did have to start with the most uncontrollable medium!! Just love the serenditpity…) Who then recommended John Worsdale (lovely fluid technique!!) as a teacher. From there I went on to learn pastel from Lesley-Ann Hartman, a well known wild life artist, famous for her Arabian horses and then to charismatic Reg Smith to learn basic drawing… All a bit back to front, but I say in Art anything goes!! Just loved to watch other people paint and then do my own thing!” “Painting is a wonderful hobby – everyone should at least try … it is most definitely the 3rd most relaxing technique after sleeping!!” “My work has been exhibited and sold in this country and abroad and I hope it is on display in Homes in Germany, France, America, Australia and South Africa. Exhibitions: at Beecroft Gallery, Westcliff on Sea on several occasions, Southend on Sea Library (my own show) and galleries in London, Walberswick, Afriston in Sussex and local galleries in Westcliff and Leigh on Sea.” “During the years 2004 & 2005 Silke has displayed her work a month at a time in two beautiful stately homes in Essex: Hylands House and Ingatestone Hall. At Hylands House she gave receptions in aid if Charity. In 2004 she held a champagne reception dedicated to Mr and Mrs Campell Coe and in 2005 she organised a Masked Summer Ball in Aid of a Pond Project at Hadleigh Country Park. Both events were not only very enjoyable and well attended, but also well documented in Essex Life Magazine’s society pages … and as you can see from the photos … very glitzy!”   The Future: “I would like to teach more in the future – when I can fit it in….” Having moved to Danbury last October, Silke is just settling in. She displayed pieces at the Danbury Society Show in the local village hall on 25-27August 2006. In March 2007 she has the opportunity to show her smaller pieces(!) in the glass vitrines of the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford. Hopefully she’ll get her own show organised locally within the next 12 months. “I have been very happy to give paint demonstrations to local art groups including the Southend Art Group, to help raise money for a couple of charity hikes to Peru and Nepal.” “Over the years I have used a variety of media and techniques – just as the creative flow directs it! Experimenting is part of the fun of painting and to be truthful I am probably very regressive in my approach to art (how did that bright green paint get between my toes?) Lesley always had a lot of mopping up to do whilst I attended her classes and indoors I’ve gone for wooden floors!”

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