BIOGRAPHY
A year after having her spine rebuilt, Patricia set forth and drove 14,000kms across Africa in a Ford Escort 1.1. She then trekked across Australia before returning to Africa where she helped capture and castrate baboons for a well known wildlife charity. When Patricia returned home she found herself being swallowed up by corporate life; for fifteen years she project managed the design and construction of five business centres in Mayfair, London, which she subsequently assisted in managing.
In 2004, frustrated by the lack of creativity in her working life, Patricia scrubbed the polish off her manicured nails and signed up to a three year figurative sculpture course at The Heatherley School of Fine Art where she proceeded to transform large lumps of clay, focusing primarily on head studies.
When she was asked by a friend if she would take some photographs of his children Patricia was delighted to help, not realising it would be the start of a new artistic direction for her. The friend loved the photographs and was adamant that Patricia should pursue this talent. Buoyed by this enthusiasm Patricia decided to take up photography professionally.
Over the next few years her reputation grew as a portrait photographer. Her work included family shoots, baby portraits, figurative, model and actor portfolios, quantities of product work, corporate and private portraiture and a number of portraits of dogs. Commissioned work out of the studio took her nationwide, from going on exercise with 29 Commando RA for 3 days in the Highlands of Scotland (a very wet and muddy experience), to a roadside recovery firm specialising in horsebox rescue (not for the faint hearted) and photographing the paraolympic dressage team in training. Patricia has shown her Collections and Retrospective work in various exhibitions and was runner up Geographical Photographer of the Year. She has had her work published by The Daily Telegraph and numerous magazines including April 2012 SW Magazine, Absolutely Fulham, The Harrods Magazine as well as regional newspapers showcasing her forthcoming book, A Year in Pictures: The Royal Hospital Chelsea published by Merrell.
In 2010 General Sir Michael Walker, then Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, awarded Patricia the honour of being the first ever photographer allowed access to every nook and cranny of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to document the lives of the famous Chelsea Pensioners. Illustrated with more than 250 colour photographs, A Year in Pictures: The Royal Hospital Chelsea provides a fascinating insight into this remarkable institution in the heart of Chelsea. Patricia's photographs reveal not only the elegant splendour of the buildings and their verdant grounds, but also expertly capture every part of day to day life at the Hospital from official events, such as the moving Founder’s Day ceremony, to scenes of light-hearted recreation and obvious camaraderie between the former soldiers. During this exciting time with The Royal Hospital Chelsea, Patricia met James Mitchell who she subsequently married.
In January 2012 they became the proud parents of baby Sophia. Born ten weeks prematurely, Sophia weighed just 1lb 9oz, but thanks to the superb neonatal team at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital she quickly gained a further 4lbs and finally came home after fifty four days. She is now piling on the weight everyday and is a very smiley and healthy little girl. Patricia lives in Fulham, where her studio is based, and is working on her next book. She is available for commissions.
A Year in Pictures: The Royal Hospital Chelsea published by Merrell is available to buy from all good book shops or online at: www.merrellpublishers.com/?9781858945729
Tel: 07957 815 843
Email: patriciarodwell@yahoo.co.uk