We are delighted  to confirm that there is going to be a small exhibition of some recent paintings by one of our Birdshot members at the forthcoming Birdshot day.  This will run alongside the mini art workshop that Jenny Wright will once again be organising for us.  We hope that these initiatives will  add to the diversity and enjoyment of the day.

Here is a little bit about painter Susan Piper and her work to wet your curiosity.

Susan has been painting with passion since 2000 when, having moved to a new home and not knowing many people, she took her Foundation in Art and Design at Alton College in Hampshire – it was the only course she could find that did not have exams at the end of it!  Her distinction gave her the confidence to design and market her own hand-made greetings cards which in turn led to many commissions.

In 2009, Susan was diagnosed with Birdshot (a family tradition as her brother, her father and her father’s cousin had been previously diagnosed with the condition)** which introduced her to the breathtaking, sometimes chilling, retinal photographs and the elegance of OCT images. Finally, after three years, a series of paintings has resulted. Collectively called ‘My Vision’ the series draws to a varying degree on the technical images and symptoms of Birdshot but Susan has also tried to reflect emotional responses to a disease that frustrates even when trying to explain what it is!

A question that niggles for Susan is how much her earlier work was shaped and influenced by undetected Birdshot. More than one artist when questioned on influences has said, “I paint what I see.” In these paintings, Susan has tried to capture what she is trying to see!

Further information about other work can be found at www.shortheathstudios.co.uk.

**  Birdshot Chorioretinopathy running in families is very unusual.  BUS  only  knows of five families where it is known that more than one family member has the condition.  If there are families where more than one person has Birdshot who we don’t know about already,  we’d be very grateful if you could let us know.  Thank you!