Christine Smith 

Sensitivity to the subject is very important when producing my artwork; it is gender based, the way of life of Transvestites, Homosexuals and Drag queens and their often-secret urge to wear female clothes. 

I had to gain their confidence before they would allow me to sketch and use their images for my portrait studies. To have an understanding and sympathy for a world that is closed to many people was necessary. Talking to such a diverse and flamboyant group of people has inspired me. 

By using pastels I feel I achieve a gentle surface with a delicacy of touch that oil or acrylic paint don't give. The canvases have been left slightly rough, as have the images, as they not meant to be precise.

I have been working on casting techniques and I took part in the live sculpture demonstration with artist Melissa Mailer-Yates in Saint Pauls Square at the beginning of July 2008. The two winged torsos are to be exhibited in Saint Paul's Church.

I have exhibited at Solihull Arts Theatre in December 2003 to Jan 2004