The Artist

Lance Penny became an Art Teacher in 1961 after studying for a general Teaching Certificate. In 1964, after the break up of the Central African Federation, he held his first one-man exhibition of expressionist paintings, which represented four years' work in Central and Southern Africa.

Later that year he moved to England and studied for three years at the Ruskin School of Drawing & Fine Art. The insistence of the school on academic drawing, painting and aspects of art history which he had never considered changed his work quite radically. However, abstract painting, especially abstract expressionism was at its height, this and his association with American students resulted in his interests growing in several directions.

On the one hand, the Ruskin influence left him with a love and interest in classic academic painting and drawing. On the other hand his exposure to the trends in contemporary art as well as the opportunity to see the work of, and hear the opinions of some of England's leading abstract expressionists left him a keen exponent of abstract paintings.

In 1972 Lance was commissioned to illustrate a set of books by Longman for Malawian schools. This led to a long succession of children’s books commissioned by several of the major publishing houses in southern and central Africa.

Throughout his career he has pursued a variety of directions including painting landscapes, portraits, still lifes, wild life and book illustration as well as creating a succession of abstract paintings. More recently he has developed an interest in sculpture, especially in concrete, ciment fondue and filled plastic resins.

Lance lives in Reigate, Surrey, with his partner, Nella Lamb, who provides encouragement and support. He has a son and a daughter, both married and living in South Africa. His son and wife have two sons, his daughter and husband have two daughters - such symmetry - and the grandchildren are all artistically creative.