Henrietta Micklem Sumption   

 

Henrietta was raised on a farm in Hertfordshire where she was surrounded by animals.  Her father enjoyed showing cattle and Henrietta was always keen to be involved and developed a good eye for judging conformation.  She became pony mad at a young age and was always dotty about her dogs. 

 

Whilst working for Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker, horseracing journalist and author, in the early 1980's she started painting horses using some oil paints given to her by her parents for her 21st Birthday.  Tim was responsible for kick-starting Henrietta's career as an artist and through him she painted a number of thoroughbred stallion portraits in and around Newmarket.   Henrietta then worked in Newmarket for the British Bloodstock Agency for sixteeen years followed by Tattersalls for two and, although she wasnt directly involved with the handling of horses, she spent many an hour observing the thoroughbred on the gallops, racing and in the sale ring.

 

Henrietta rekindled her love of painting when she moved to Somerset to marry Johnny Sumption in 2002 where they are surrounded by the animals they love.  Although Henrietta occasionally uses oils, her favourite medium is watercolour and she specialises in animal portraiture, in particular, dogs and horses. 

 

Henrietta's love of painting stems from a long line of artists in her family.  Her grandmother Hilda Kidman was a tremendous inspiration.  A prolific artist during the 20th century particularly well known for family portraits and many of her early works were of animals..  Her aunt Philippa Romer was also a portrait painter, her cousin Caroline Romer is a wonderful artist as well as her sister Charlotte Roffe-Silvester.  Her mother, Susan, is still getting commissions at the age of 84.

 

. Henrietta Micklem Sumption - the artist