daughters did Ceramics and Art at GCSE and the younger daughter did Fine Art at A level.

Julia started painting some years ago, after her husband died, and the three art forms have come happily together in association with Counterpoint Arts, based in Herstmonceux. Her first poetry collection , “The Advent Journey” was set to music by Aanna Colls in Spring 2000 and performed by Counterpoint Arts. “The Anatolian Journey” was the next collection, published by Counterpoint Arts in 2001. A further poetry collection with accompanying illustrations is being developed

She mostly works in Sussex but inspiration also comes from journeys to interesting places where nature is uncluttered and untamed.

The three Arts are woven into the other aspects of life: running a 20 acre organic smallholding with Rare Breed Sheep, developing textiles, and welcoming the world to her two diversifications The Coach House and The Studio Sanctuary where artists of all kinds can come and work/live for short periods or simply be in retreat from a busy world.

Julia Desch 2004

Julia Desch was born in to an artistic family on both sides: grandfather was Prizewinner at the Royal Academy and known for portraits, illustrations and acting; grandmother was fine miniaturist also studied at RA. Mother studied Applied Arts and Costume Design.

Childhood was spent with charcoal, putty rubbers, conte crayons and an informal training in classical techniques. Attics full of lay figures, anatomical books and sketch books of the First World War all fostered the interest. She grew up on Dartmoor, her elemental home, rode all over it and drew animals especially horses. She stopped art at 16, learned languages and went to Cambridge where music became the preferred art form. In her twenties and thirties she sang in choirs, worked, travelled and married. Her children were born in London.

All through her adult life she has written poetry, usually on backs of envelopes or round the edge of shopping lists. Classical voice training began at 39 and she still works with the same teacher on core sound twenty years later, developing natural voice with other sound masters.

Art College was done by proxy while two