Patricia Preece 1894-1966

Patricia Preece was born into a peripatetic military family. Became Lady Spencer - second wife of the painter Stanley Spencer. In 1917 entered the Slade School of Fine Art, studying under Henry Tonks, where she met her lifelong companion Dorothy Hepworth. They became members of the Bloomsbury Group circle and shared a studio. She spent four years in Paris and studied in Andre Lhote's studio. They returned to England in 1925 and settled in Cookham in 1927. Even though in 1937 she married Stanly Spencer, they never lived together. Towards the end Dorothy Hepworth and Patricia Preece led a reclusive life in Cookham. Exhibited at the Warren, Leicester, Lefevre and Leger Galleries and her work is represented in many public galleries (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/patricia-preece" class="link1">BBC Your Paintings).