The talented and creative people delivering the courses at BEANS are featured below. This is your opportunity to find out a bit about each artist and the work that they do.
For more information on the art courses and workshops we will be running, please check the Courses page and our Calendar of Events.
Helen Burpee
I am a parent and Primary School teacher; I love art but especially print. I get involved in art through Chesterfield College and run the school Art Club for 7-11 year olds. I grew up in Coventry, trained in Matlock, lived in Clowne and now in Bolsover. Harley Gallery exhibited my work in the recent “H is for…” exhibition. I have focussed on lino printing and look to nature for inspiration.
Carol Eason
Carol uses a range of print making techniques as well as a mixture of mediums to produce her colourful portrayals of the world around us. She produces work that provides a single focus as well as work that creates a microcosm of life on the page. Stunning.
Phoebe Eason
Phoebe is a print maker – working with lino cuts to create her fun images and to express her thoughts and ideas.
Her work will make you smile.
Rhian Wyn Stone
My work addresses the notion of becoming distinct within a world of uniformity: an individual’s quest to maintain a sense of the self within a world of mass culture. Imperfections are not seen as flaws, rather as characteristics; these unwanted and unplanned details become the ideal, more perfect than the initial design to start. The notion of becoming distinct within a world of uniformity: an individual. This element of chance and found beauty inspires in my work the blurring of art and life. Through work I wish to challenge and address the notion of beauty, deterioration and the ideal, re-engaging the viewer with a familiar in order to create a new aesthetic.
Hayley Griffin
Hayley is a keen advocate of traditional photographic methods. She currently has 3 large canvases on exhibit at BEANS. The three images on display were all taken on 35mm film and each created by ‘not looking through the viewfinder’ of the camera. Hayley’s striking work is in both black and white and colour.
For a taster go to:
www.saatchigallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Hayley%20F+Griffin/30319.html
Cynthia Else
Cynthia works with a range of glass techniques including traditional copper foil, lead work and kiln fired glass to create her art. At the moment, she is working on a series of fused glass tiles using colour, light and texture. The tiles are layered with paper, metal and wire to achieve a three-dimensional depth, creating hidden interest below each level. The concept is that the finished tiles should be slightly quirky, happy and light-hearted with a childlike quality. The pictures are almost dreamlike in appearance, and nothing is quite as it seems. The aim is to draw the viewer into the picture where they can let their own imagination add to what is already there.
‘Colour has always been one of the most important things in my life. From starting life as a printed textile designer, then moving into fully-fashioned knitwear, to my current work in stained glass, colour, above all, has been at the forefront – and still is. If the colours aren’t right, the design just doesn’t materialise. I’ve always let colour lead the way. I’m quite happy to have an idea that veers off at a tangent and ends up baring little relationship to the original; in fact that is how I usually work. I suppose it’s a freedom without constraints and I’m in the enviable position of being able to indulge my fantasy. At the end of the day I want other people to feel as passionate about stained glass, in all its forms, as I do.’
Helen Hallows
“And I knew just as surely, just as clearly, that life is not a work of art and that the moment could not last.” – Norman Maclean “A River Runs Through It”
I try to capture time in my work. Life moves so quickly, we are bombarded with images and sounds. In taking a fleeting moment and committing it to paper through a process of drawing, collage and stitch, I hope to engage the viewer in a meditation. Whether the image is a happened upon sunset, a sudden storm or people in love, the feelings and spirituality I felt at the time are important as I try to slow time and record life’s beautiful moments. A background in textiles and a love of life have led to a fusion of styles creating a unique way of working which seems to invoke a sense of narrative, simplicity and calm.
You can find out more about Helen and see more of her work (and find out where she’s going to be next) by visiting her website http://www.helenhallows.com/ or by reading her blog http://helenhallows.blogspot.com/
Steph Harvey
Steph is our resident expert in surface decoration. She has an enthusiasm and passion for creativity and she shares her passion and cultivates it in all of her students. From beginners to advanced art students, Steph manages to help everyone find their true talent in a fun and exciting way. Recently, Steph’s own artwork has taken a backseat to the work she does with her students. Here is an example of the photomontage, designed from students’ work that was used to decorate interior doors.
Hazel Lale
“All remains open and exciting as my work helps me explore a range of ideas and ways of thinking which in turn allows me to grow and enjoy being an artist.” —Hazel Lale
Hazel Lale grew up in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and has been interested in drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. Along the way, she has been awarded prizes for her art since the age of five and still has them (art books) sitting on her bookshelves today!
After many other adventures and qualifications in other fields, she took a long awaited B.A. Hons degree in Fine Art at Sheffield College of Art.
She is an artist who is attracted to themes which allow her to break free of outline with energy and capture her imagination. It is not so much the subject, but the light falling on pattern, a gesture, a discordant colour and a memory which fits a fleeting image. Subjects she considers include figures, flowers, street scenes, animals and birds, which allow her to play with colour. The challenge of landscape is also tackled.
Recent travels to other countries have provided Hazel with an enormous amount of inspiration. Colour, buildings, watching people interacting with their environment, are all wonderful sources of material for paintings. Other influences spring from a constant search to see how others are putting things together to tell a story. These influences are varied— from graffiti to artists such as Chuck Close, Barbara Rae, Mary Cassatt, and so many others.
Large commissioned pieces of work have provided a chance to explore ways of describing extremely large painting surfaces, which in turn affect the approach to smaller pieces. The painting surface and its size both help to suggest what materials are used to describe a chosen subject.
Hazel has information about the art classes she offers at her studio and her upcoming exhibitions – as well as further examples of her work on her website. http://www.hazellale.co.uk/
Jessica Noonan
I find inspiration for my jewellery in many things such as nature, art and fashion. My work comprises mainly of precious and semi-precious materials – sterling silver, stone,freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and glass beads – but occasionally I use other materials such as plastic. I love colour, texture and pattern and I often incorporate these into my work. From initial sketches, I usually develop my ideas by working directly with materials. I find that the pieces evolve as I work with the various materials.
Jessica posts information about where she is going to be on her Facebook page… http://www.facebook.com/Jessica.Noonan.Jewellery
Polly Warren
After school Polly trained and worked as a registered nurse, and later, when her sons were at school, she completed a Certificate in Education and worked as a maths teacher. Art had been one of her favourite subjects at school and the passion remained. When she began to design and make decorative stencils she was invited to join a group of artists/makers who established a successful gallery on Steep Hill, Lincoln. After many years, she eventually returned to practice and finally retired from nursing in 2006.
An interest in linocut printing started about ten years ago when she enjoyed a short course at Broadland Art Centre with Richard Bawden, the renowned painter and printmaker. It was so inspirational that she continues to join the same course each year, returning home to her garage studio to develop her garden, floral and coastal prints. The studio is a special place to work and a source of delight, especially when accompanied by her grandchildren who share her passion for art and ‘making and doing’.
Jennifer Ashby
Simple, but bold, my jewellery consists of geometric shapes combined with soft finishes and surfaces textures.
Led to create form reminiscent of seed pods for their inspiring delicacy yet strength, I strive to make pieces which feel personal and intimate. I often use hollow forms to give a surprising lightness to larger pieces and also allow the potential for the pieces to be used as containers, to hold keepsakes or produce noises when moved.
I enjoy repetition in making and so my work often features multiple units of varying size or texture to create a contrast while remaining cohesive.
I predominantly work with silver but often compliment this with handmade cotton linter paper elements and woven paper yarn chains to enhance the organic feel of the jewellery.
You can find out more about me at: www.jmashby.co.uk
Sarah Godfrey
Sarah is an artist/printmaker who uses non-toxic techniques to create her wonderful images. Sarah has a studio on the Welbeck Estate behind the Harley Gallery where she creates her work and offers printmaking workshops. At BEANS, we have some of Sarah’s framed images, cards and badges for sale – all with Sarah’s unique approach to printmaking, collage, colour and design.
Rebecca Dray
I am a Sheffield based Graphic Designer with big hopes of moving to London to pursue a career in advertising. I have recently completed an Art & Design Foundation Course at Chesterfield College. Since completion, I have been gaining valuable work experience at various design agencies in and around Sheffield to build up my portfolio of work.
I work primarily on my computer, using specialist Graphic Design Programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to achieve my desired aesthetic. Some of my work begins as hand-drawn sketches which are scanned in and edited until I am happy with the overall design, whilst others originate on the computer. My work is usually designed to suit a commercial purpose (leaflets, logos, campaigns etc.) which often results in my work commenting on social and political issues of the time.
My background in English Literature and Linguistics has fuelled my passion for the typography seen frequently in my pieces (I particularly love the Penguin Travel Book Illustrations by Brazil Agency IESP). I have a passion for vintage things and enjoy referencing particular eras within my work and adding a modern spin. Finally, simplicity is key within my work. Simplicity of concept, colour, design, layout and type and I draw influence from artists who also channel this aesthetic such a Alex Steinweiss, Saul Bass and Andy Warhol.
The series of three pieces on exhibit at BEANS, was a campaign I created as my Final Major Project at college. I researched the theme ‘Manipulation within the Media’ and created a campaign for a mock client which was influenced by Soviet and Chinese Propaganda. My task was to modernise a selection of iconic British brands and to promote buying locally. The concept behind the series was to bring families together around the table again with ‘Great British Brands’ and to make the brands appealing. All three designs were created using Photoshop and Illustrator.
Pero Lomax
I work in acrylic on canvas. My current pieces are on 3 foot square canvas. I chose that size canvas to represent that we have a square yard to our lives. We live like we only have a square foot, but we actually have a square yard and we should spread out and use the space.
I use 9 colours, 7 colours and two tones – black and white. The basic colours are our existence – a true key of our life. This is a minimum – the positive, negative and neutral. I chose the colours as a way of simplifying the work, to show that life can be simple. That life is all here. Whatever exists, whatever is alive… has a life like us.
I started with the primary colours. Red represents the negative in us and blue the positive. Yellow is the colour that represents the space above us – the religion in our lives. Black is a neutral negative and white a neutral positive. Brown represents the earth.
Through my work, I have explored the positive and negative aspects of ourselves and would like people to realise that we can choose positive or negative in our lives. The colours I have chosen are only symbols. It is not the colour that is important, it is the positive and negative in each of our lives that we must look at. We each know our own. Once known, through common sense, we can make the right choices.
Kirsty Butler
My work is based on the concept of ‘structure’. My pieces include a combination of collograph printing and stitch work to create the desired effect. For the pieces on display at BEANS, the structure I focused on was fences. I started by taking photographs, then made drawings and prints based on the photographs I’d taken to create the series of three works. I am interested in colour and surface pattern and have been influenced by the work of Matthew Harris and Jeanne-Claude.
Olivia Rushin
I enjoy working in a variety of media from oil and acrylic to pencil drawings. I also create sculptural pieces using wax, canvas, stitchery, etc., depending on the demands of the piece. My course has allowed me to investigate a variety of styles, approaches and techniques. I found that I enjoy drawing, creating visual installations and using my art to comment on life.
Rosanna Scrase
As an artist I thrive on the idea of having underlining meanings within my work. I mix traditional craft techniques, such as stitch and ceramics, with a more contemporary style to create unique, emotive pieces. I especially enjoy working to larger scales and using mixed media to create tactile and thought provoking pieces.
For my final show at college my chosen theme and title was ‘Encasement’. I hand crafted two ceramic and one fabric sculpture based on the shape of cocoons and suspended them as a light installation. I took my inspiration from the idea of protection within nature and within our society. The fabric cocoon is a metaphor to represent the idea that children are protected when they are little within their own ‘cushioned’ imaginary world. However the world outside is not like this. The ceramic hard cocoons are there as a contrast with the softness of the fabric to represent how children grow up and leave this protection behind. Within the fabric cocoon I have included stitched illustrations and photographs from my childhood to represent this.
The idea of making a viewer of my work feel some emotion, whether it be happy, confused or perhaps to feel shocked, really excites me. I love the idea that my work provokes people to look closer and to question what it is they are seeing.
I have just completed my National Diploma in Art and Design at Chesterfield College gaining distinction grades and I am going on to study Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University this September.