Photo by Alix's son Will Bremridge.  Hattie, her late studio companion who insisted on being included!
Photo by Alix's son Will Bremridge. Hattie, her late studio companion who insisted on being included!
HRH The Prince of Wales discussing Alix's painting of a military scene in Afghanistan
HRH The Prince of Wales discussing Alix's painting of a military scene in Afghanistan
Exhibiting in the ING Discerning Eye exhibition, London
Exhibiting in the ING Discerning Eye exhibition, London
Chairing the late Armed Forces Art Society
Chairing the late Armed Forces Art Society

A L I X   B A K E R   PCAFAS UA 

  

Alix lives in Hampshire and exhibits in national and local exhibitions and has two sides to her art - ‘civilian' and military.

 

After attending art college in London she had various jobs, including briefly at No.10, before doing what she had intended to do since childhood: to work in intelligence which was in her DNA having strong connections on her mother’s side going back a long way!

 

While serving abroad, she worked on military commissions and eventually Alix decided to leave, married an Army officer, had a family, lived and travelled abroad and built up her military painting side becoming collected worldwide by museums, armed forces units and individuals.  Information of past commissions can be supplied on request.  Nowadays she tends to paint the occasional military caricature but is still open to other types of armed services commissions.  Some of her paintings are owned by members of Royal families at home and abroad.

 

While the family lived in Oman, she received a commission from the late HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said for a very large series of paintings of his armed forces, household troops and police which hang in public buildings in the country.  

 

She had the honour to chair the Armed Forces Art Society for six years - the first non-military and first woman to do so.  Alix has also served on the committee of several national and local art societies.

 

She has written numerous articles on the evolution of military dress for specialist international magazines and on the pursuit of painting as a profession or hobby.  

 

Alix judges or helps organise exhibitions.  She has been the subject of study by GCSE and A Level students on several occasions and enjoys mentoring young artists.

 

Several websites are illustrated by her pictures - not always with her permission!

 

Last but far from least: Alix is married to Tom Bremridge and has 2 very artistic sons, Henry and Will Bremridge.

 

"I find it very hard to sum up in a few words my art, styles and inspiration, my interpretation of light and colour.  All I know is that, like many artists, I get a physical craving, particularly when it’s impossible to access time or art materials.  I carry a notebook everywhere, jotting down thoughts, notes on colours, light direction, random ideas etc.  I’m for ever looking up at the many colours to be found in clouds!  Having devoted so many years to work that was more illustrative (my military side), I am always trying to loosen up and perhaps that is why my style is constantly evolving. Inspiration is all around and I rather wish I had spent more years developing my non-military side - fewer committee meetings for a start!

 

I believe there is a genetic link to the subjects I have painted over the years.  Many ancestors were in the armed services, some were artists, mountaineers, national sportsmen and one grandfather, also an artist, built his own racing yachts.  So I should not be surprised at what I choose to paint now and in the future......! "