Daphne Padden
Portrait of Daphne Padden (above) painted by her father.
British Artist Daphne Padden was born on 21st May 1927, the daughter of Percy Padden
who was also an travel poster illustrator working in the 20’s and 30’s.
Her strongest work (in my mind) is the work she created from the late 50’s to the mid 70’s,
working for M&S, Trust House Forte,the Post Office Savings Bank, British European Airways
and most famously the British Transport Commission,
and in particular the Royal Blue Coach Services.
During the late 70’s she changed direction and became a fine artist, painting in a
completely different style altogether, sadly she passed away in September of last year.
Thanks to the fantastic Quad Royal, Alison and Amy for the great images and for helping
to keep amazing artists such as Daphne remembered in the public eye.
As a great update to this post, one kind Fishink blog reader Aiden. shared a miniature he has of Daphne’s work. So interesting to see her range of styles. Thanks Aiden.
Wasn’t advertising fun back then…..why have we become sooooooo serious !??
I quite agree.
Thanks for the compliments – it’s great to see Daphne Padden getting just some of the attention she deserves!
No problem. I’m wondering if anyone is writing a book featuring all these amazing designers from this era. I think it would be a best seller.
Keep up the great work.
I might just do that thing. Although I think Dorrit Dekk is pretty much the only one still living, which is a shame.
I guess you’d be the perfect person to do it. Put me down for one reserve copy !
I’d love to do a book too but don’t have access to any illustrations like yourself. Did you see this article by the way.
http://www.superfuture.com/supertalk/showpost.php?p=2325944&postcount=129
My family are related to Percy and Daphne – my grandad was Percy’s cousin – although we never knew until recently. My daughter is studying Fine art at university and is using Percy and Daphne’s posters to study. I love them!
Hi Lesley, what a lovely story, thanks for sharing that with us. How wonderful to be inspired by things that our relatives did or created. Daphne’s work is truly inspirational.
Hi Lesley,
Very interesting comments about your family history and Daphne and Percy Padden.
I think you emailed Quad Royal :-
“Percy was born in Wolverhampton and was my grandad’s cousin. Percy’s grandad was John Padden born in County Mayo in 1828. I think when my grandad got married in 1917 he may have been cut off from the family as he married a Protestant and the family were catholic – all my dad remembers is he had no family when he was younger when actually he did. Percy had quite a few uncles and cousins but they would have been quite poor and many of his cousins would have died. I think he had a few brothers so Daphne would have had some cousins. It is great to hear that they were successful in life. I have more information if you are interested. I love to read about them. My daughter is studying fine art and photography at Aberystwyth uni and has studied their work”
I am trying to put together as much biographical detail as I can about Daphne as I work for Lincoln Joyce Fine Art and we are putting on an exhibition of her work later this year. If you have any information about the family that might help me I would be grateful to hear from you. My email address is rosemarylincolnjoyce@hotmail.com
Regards
Rosemary Pearson
Thank you Rosemary, fascinating reading. Good luck with the exhibition later in the year, please send some photos and details of when it’s on .
I recently came across Daphne’s “Royal Blue” set on Pinterest and absolutely Love them! I had a feeling I’d learn more about her here. Think I love it all, great color combinations and humor throughout. Would be interested to see what she did as a fine artist. Congratulations on your 500th post!!! will check out more back editions now, see that other faves like Matte Stephens and Michael Sowa included … again great blog!
Daphne had a beautiful way of illustrating, I’ve liked everything she’s created in this style so far.
Many thanks for your support and comments. Please keep them coming, they do perk up my day too !
I am lucky to say i own a miniature water colour by Daphne which is not of her normal style.
Lucky indeed, do you have a photo you could share with us ? Would be great to see that. Thanks Craig
I would but i am unsure how to post it, it is called hide and seek depicting two teady bears one in a fruit basket and one sitting in front of it. A true miniature measuring only 2.0ins x 1.25ins well thats the visible picture. If you can tell me how to post it i will be very pleased to do so and thank you.
Aiden if you can take a photo, put the image on your computer desktop and then attach it to an email to craig@fishink.co.uk that would be great. If this all sounds a little unfamiliar or confusing, ask any teenager and they will do it for you : ) Good luck and looking forward to seeing it too.
I really love this work.
Thanks Shelby for letting me know. It is pretty wonderful isn’t it .
She also did a really cool anchor brochure design when she had P&O Lines as a client. Love your blog by the way, I think you also did a great post on Juliet Peter I remember seeing.
Thanks for your comments and thoughts on my blog.. much appreciated.
Which I wrote before I saw you’ve already included it here…