Denise Angel – Teacher & Artist
Denise was born and bred in County Durham, where her love of painting began as a teenager, she now resides in Consett. University followed with a BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textile Design and a career designing for the likes of Berghaus and M&S. Following a PGCE in education Denise became a secondary school teacher, teaching Art to A level. With over 35 years of professional experience as an Artist she has now recently became self-employed.
Denise works in mixed media using, Acrylics, Oils and Coloured pencils and as can be seen in the photos, loves to work on several paintings at a time, to keep her fresh and save time waiting for paints to dry. She however not only paints on canvas and paper but loves working on large scale murals, which can be seen locally at Lanchester Garden Centre and nursery schools in Sunderland and Durham Hospitals.
Denise Angel is the name used for her artwork and workshop at Delves Lane Community Centre, which can also be seen online at her Facebook page – ‘Iridescent Moon Gallery’.
Article and Photos by George Ledger
Chris Bowen – Calligrapher
Chris Bowen has been a calligrapher for many years but started out as an oil painter. He studied at Hornsey College, London before working as a ceramic artist (that is he painted porcelain ware) at Royal Worcester. He says that he didn’t like the repetitive nature of the work so went into teaching, working in Worcester, Widnes and Liverpool before moving North to Blackfyne Comprehensive School as Head of Art, taking over from Sheila Mackie and then Derwentside College.
He was a member of the Liverpool academy and couldn’t help being inspired by meeting so many creative people. He has practised and taught fine art and calligraphy for over 30 years and is passionate about historical scripts, having studied many original manuscripts at Durham Cathedral library. He have worked with calligraphers from America and Europe – and found their approach inspiring because they are very open to less traditional methods, which has been very influential on my work as it chimes more with my general feeling about art and creativity, especially contemporary art
He also produces more abstract work combining colourful backgrounds with medieval text and has exhibited in both Durham Cathedral and Hexham Abbey.
Chris can also be found at Blackhill Community Centre, whre he runs a Calligraphy group, he continues to pass on his knowledge and skills to others and inspires the members.
‘Consett in Focus’ Documentary Photography Group’
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