Hazel Barker was born in London and raised in the countryside south of the city. As a child, she always enjoyed painting and drawing, and was encouraged both by her family and by her teachers. Partly as a result of their encouragement, she won First Prize in a national painting competition at the age of 11, which helped her to decide on an artistic career. She then completed a Foundation Course at Guildford School of Art and subsequently took a degree course in fine Art at Reigate School of Art. Hazel Barker prefers to work in oils and to paint from life, usually in Spain, Italy or France. She has exhibited in London and the United Kingdom, and her hobbies outside the world of art include interior design, reading, and studying Spanish. Visit www.felixr.com to see more images